Archive
The 44th annual Queen of the Land festival which took place in Tullamore over the past three days has once again proved to be a resounding success. Huge crowds attended this years festival from all over Ireland due, in no small part, to the fantastic line up of entertainment and 26 entries from all four corners of the Country all competing for the prestigious title of Queen of The Land 2008.
Friday night kicked off with a packed house to see local comedian Neil Delamere, who entertained the crowd and Queens alike with a highly amusing comedy show, followed by dancing into the wee small hours of the morning.
Saturday morning, bright and early the Queens were interviewed by our three eminent Judges. From our main sponsors, The Irish Farmers Journal and Irish Country living, Mr. Darragh Mullin, news correspondent with The Irish Farmers Journal and Irish Country Living newspaper, Miss Yvonne Daly, the 2007 Queen of the Land and prominent local business man Mr. Christy Maye. Many locals on the towns streets provided much help and guidance when the Queens were sent on a treasure hunt to visit many local land marks. Introductions to a fine selection of escorts proved extremely entertaining. These fine young men were to be at their beck and call for the weekend. Moving onto the Tullamore Court Hotel, the queens were put through their paces on stage with compere Grainne Kelly and danced the night away to top band the Aftermath.
On Sunday morning, despite the late nights, the queens attended Mass with a performance from the Tullamore Gospel choir. Bowling was next on the agenda and a quick turnaround for the gathering in the Hotel foyer for Photographs and banquet. We were very honoured this year to have Mairead Mc Guinness as guest speaker. Other distinguished guests included Mairead Lavery, Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal and Irish Country living, Miss Catherine Buckley, National President of Macra na Feirme, Ger Maher, Chairperson Offaly Macra na Feirme and Nigel Larkin, President of the Queen of the Land committee.
Nerves were beginning to show for the announcement at Midnight. To huge crowds and cheers, the queens were piped in by Brian Meacle. Announcing the winners, judge and reigning Queen Yvonne Daly complimented the queens for the extremely high calibre of girl that entered this. She wished them well for the coming year laughingly advising them, they would need plenty of stamina to keep up with the entertaining year ahead of them. It fell then to Darragh Mullin to announce the winners. Second runner up this year is Noreen O’Shea from Killarney in Co. Kerry. An architectural student in Cork and chairperson of her Club in Killarney.
In second place came, from Seandun, Emily O’Connell. Although studying for her finals as a nurse, Emily managed to create an impression with the judges. It may have something to do with her castrating bulls.
Amid much tension the winner of the Queen of the Land for 2008 was announced, from Dublins U.C.D. Club Kate Harrison. Huge cheers erupted from the crowd and amid tears and laughter, Kate was crowned
Queen for 2008. Joined on stage by her delighted family, champagne corks popped, and the cameras flashed, all eager to get a glimpse of our glamourous Queen for 2008. Also a student, the ag science block in Belfield will no doubt be buzzing with the news of this win for many weeks to come.
The partying continued into the night with fabulous entertainment from Fiesta and capping off the night was our regular party man Timmy Chambers.
In all it was another successful year, thanks in no small part to our Queens, sponsors, committee and the many supporters that came from all over the country.
The Queen of the land festival and The Irish Farmers Journal/Irish Country Living were proud on the 18th of November to announce Kate Harrison as the Queen of the Land for 2007. Kate hailing from the UCD club in Dublin was overwhelmed when the announcement was made. Kate paid great tribute to her fellow contestants who had made it “a most memorable weekend ever” and especially thanked the Queen of the Land committee for making and doing everything in their power to make every one of us feel special.”
Kate said that the highlights of her weekend were the Treasure hunt and she remarked about the clues for the hunt “would have had the locals confused never mind a few blow-ins”. Speaking about being on stage on Saturday night, she said she was a little nervous but was put very much at ease by the interviewer Grainne Kelly from the Queen of the Land committee.
Kate comes away from Tullamore with the prestigious Queen of the Land title and the tiara that accompanies the title and €1000 and a voucher. Seandun's Emily O'Connell took 1st runner up and Kerrywoman Noreen O'Shea took took 2nd runner
Contestants were judged on a range of attributes. The event is primarily a personality contest with marks also on offer for appearance, dress sense, rural knowledge and elocution. In addition, contestants underwent an interview encompassing a discussion on one of two pre-chosen topics.
The festival, which has grown from humble beginnings, is now one of the most prestigious events on the Offaly social calendar. This year it attracted over two thousand visitors to the Offaly capital at an otherwise quite time of year for tourism. The event expanded last year to coincide with the 40th celebrations with a sister festival of alternative music and bar extensions running throughout almost 30 pubs in the town.
For further information contact:
Visit our Bebo page www.bebo.com/queenofthelandfest
or email: queenoftheland@eircom.net
Lastest News
With only two weeks to go, it's full steam ahead for the Queen of the Land festival and it's committee which is looking forward to holding it's press conference on sunday the 2nd of November at 5 p.m. in the Bridge House Hotel. Chairperson Ann Marie Butterfield said "that I can't believe that the weekend is almost here and I'm really looking forward to meeting all the girls at the press conference". The Queen of the Land festival 2008 runs from the 14th - 16th of November in Tullamore Co. Offaly and the committe are delighted to say that the entertainment line up is one of the best they've ever had. President Nigel Larkin commented "that this is going to be one of the best years for the Queen of the Land festival with such a wonderful entertainment line up of Neil Delamere on the Friday night, Aftermath on the Satuday night and Fiesta on the Sunday night".
Last Years Winner
November 2007
The Queen of the land festival was proud on the 18th of November to announce Yvonne Daly as the Queen of the Land for 2007. Yvonne hailing from the Seandun club in county Cork was overwhelmed when the announcement was made. Yvonne paid great tribute to her fellow contestants who had made it “a most memorable weekend ever” and especially thanked the Queen of the Land committee for making and doing everything in their power to make every one of us feel special.”
Yvonne said that the highlights of her weekend were the Treasure hunt and she remarked about the clues for the hunt “would have had the locals confused never mind a few blow-ins”. Speaking about being on stage on Saturday night, she said she was a little nervous but was put very much at ease by the interviewer Grainne Kelly from the Queen of the Land committee.
Yvonne comes away from Tullamore with the prestigious Queen of the Land title and the tiara that accompanies the title and €1000 and holiday and fashion vouchers. Dublin’s Maria Monaghan took the runner up spot and third place went to Mayo’s Hazel Morahan
Contestants were judged on a range of attributes. The event is primarily a personality contest with marks also on offer for appearance, dress sense, rural knowledge and elocution. In addition, contestants underwent an interview encompassing a discussion on one of two pre-chosen topics.
The festival, which has grown from humble beginnings, is now one of the most prestigious events on the Offaly social calendar. This year it attracted over two thousand visitors to the Offaly capital at an otherwise quite time of year for tourism. The event expanded last year to coincide with the 40th celebrations with a sister festival of alternative music and bar extensions running throughout almost 30 pubs in the town.
For further information contact:
Visit our Bebo page www.bebo.com/queenofthelandfest
or email: queenoftheland@eircom.net
Winner 2006
20th November 2006
LAOIS TAKES QUEEN OF THE LAND TITLE 
Breda Goulding now faces Podge and Rodge
Queens County is celebrating a new member of the royal family this week as Breda Goulding was crowned Queen of the Land in Co Offaly last weekend. Breda was highly praised by the judging committee and her fellow contestants who said she was a worthy winner of the prestigous event.
It was a hectic weekend for Breda who attended a host of events laid on for her and the twenty-three other contestants over three days. She was representing Mountmellick Macra at the event. She now faces the daunting task of heading to Balldung to partake in the Ms Ballydung competition on the Podge and Rodge Show on RTE in December. The Queens were only told of the news at the start of the weekend as the festival organisers feared a number of no shows if an announcement was made before the weekend.
“It was one of the the best weekends of my life” Breda enthused “we were treated like real Queens over the weekend, with the organising committee doing everything in their power to make every one of us feel special.” When asked of her highlights of the weekend she made special mention of the Treasure hunt which contestants took part in throughout Tullamore on Saturday. ”We were running all over town looking for clues wearing our sashes and getting great reaction from all the public” she said. “Everybody was trying to help us find our way but the clues had even the people of Tullamore confused at times.“ she laughed.
Speaking of her on-stage interview on Saturday night in front of a huge crowd she said she was “not really nervous beforehand and it was over before I knew it.”. Afterwards the girls partied their way into the early hours of Sunday morning. “I didn’t get very much sleep any night” said Breda “and there was a couple of girls who never got to bed at all but I won’t name names” she smiled.
Breda took home the coveted Journal sponsored Queen of the Land title with a prize of €1000 and holiday and fashion vouchers. Meath's Pamela Fahy took the runner-up spot while Corks Margurite O'Flynn was third. It is the third time Laois has held the title. The two previous winners were Moira Miller in 1971 and Kathleen Murphy in 1984.
The judging panel for the event was Maria Moynihan of The Journal, the reigning Queen of the Land, Elaine Murphy from Kilkenny and Macra President Colm Markey. Chairman of the panel, Maria Moynihan, paid tribute to Breda who she said was “a wonderful girl” adding that “Breda has a great personality and is a worthy winner. She is a prime example of the best of modern Irish rural females”
Contestants were judged on a range of attributes. The event is primarily a personality contest with marks also on offer for appearance, dress sense, rural knowledge and elocution. In addition, contestants underwent an interview encompassing a discussion on one of two pre-chosen topics.
The festival, which has grown from humble beginnings, is now one of the most prestigious events on the Offaly social calendar. This year it attracted over two thousand visitors to the Offaly capital at an otherwise quite time of year for tourism. The event expanded last year to coincide with the 40th celebrations with a sister festival of alternative music and bar extensions running throughout almost 30 pubs in the town.
For further information contact:
Fergal Nannery (Festival PRO) 087 2257357
or email: queenoftheland@eircom.net
Latest News
8th Oct 2006
Queen of the land festival Website is currently being redesigned so please check us out soon to see our brand new site
Latest News
29th Dec 2005
VARIOUS UPDATES (See Below) Welcome to the Official website of the Queen of the Land Festival. This year, as always, the event is hosted by Offaly Macra Na Feirme and takes place in Tullamore, Co Offaly from November 12th-14th. The festival is open to any female that is a member of a young farmers organisation aged 17-35.Over three days contestants are appraised by a distinguished judging panel. Queens are judged on a range of attributes. The event is primarily a personality contest with marks also on offer for appearance, dress sense, rural knowledge and elocution. In addition, contestants undergo an interview encompassing a discussion on one of two pre-chosen topics. The three-person panel are looking for personality, energy and confidence. The winner is a contestant which best exudes the qualities of today's modern rural woman. The festival also caters for visitors, supporters and the public over the three days providing top entertainment to keep everybody happy. Tullamore is the place to be the second weekend in November!
Latest News Updates
(29/12/05 New Pictures in Gallery, This Years Prizes, Archive Updates, Contact Page Updated, Previous Winners Updated )
Updates(15/11/05)
KILKENNY CONTESTANT CROWNED QUEEN OF THE LAND
Elaine Murphy “Treated like a Queen” The Murphy family from Kilmanagh was celebrating a unique double this week as Elaine Murphy was crowned Queen of the Land in Co Offaly last weekend. Only a few months ago, her sister Andrea took top spot in the International Miss Macra competition in Tipperary. It is believed to be the first time that two sisters have held the titles at the same time. Elaine was highly praised by the judging committee and her fellow contestants who said she was a worthy winner of the prestigous event.
It was a hectic weekend for Elaine who attended a host of events laid on for her and the twenty-two other contestants over three days. She was representing Callan Macra at the event. “It was the best weekend of my life” Elaine enthused “we were treated like real Queens over the weekend, with the organising committee doing everything in their power to make every one of us feel special.” When asked of her highlights of the weekend she made special mention of the Treasure hunt which contestants took part in throughout Tullamore on Saturday. ”We were running all over town looking for clues wearing our sashes and getting great reaction from all the public” she said. “Everybody was trying to help us find our way but the clues had even the people of Tullamore confused at times.“ she laughed. The special mass for deceased Macra members in Tullamores’ beautiful church of the Assumption also got a mention. “The Tullamore gospel choir sang at it; they are the largest in the country” she said “It was an amazing experience watching this huge amount of people dressed in shining blue and red gowns singing the most powerful and beautiful songs. We all just wanted to stand up, clap and join in!”
Elaine’s family and members of Kilkenny Macra were on hand to cheer her on over the weekend and were delighted with the double success for family, club and county. Elaine’s mother who was christened “The Queen Mother” in the aftermath of the announcement was stunned. “To have one girl winning is great, but when it’s repeated by her sister it is amazing.” Asked what the secret to having such a winning formula in the family she said “There is no secret. They are just two wonderful girls with great personalities and I am so proud of them both.”
Elaine attended a special gala banquet on the Friday night of the event, which celebrated the 40th birthday of the festival. Thirty-five of the previous thirty-nine winners were on hand for a nostalgic trip down memory lane. “It was great to see so many former Queens” she said “and talking to them on the night brought home to me how special an event it is as the women had such fond memories of the festival.” She added “I hope I can live up to the title of Queen of the Land as well as they obviously have.”
Speaking of her on-stage interview on Saturday night in front of a huge crowd she said she was “a bit nervous beforehand but Terry (The M.C.) guided me through it so well it was over before I knew it.”. Afterwards the girls partied their way into the early hours of Sunday morning. “I didn’t get very much sleep any night” said Elaine “and there was a couple of girls who got to bed at all but I won’t name names” she smiled.
Elaine took home the coveted Journal sponsored Queen of the Land title with a prize of €1000 and holiday and fashion vouchers. Waterford’s’ Marita Kelly took the runner-up spot while Vanessa Kerr from Ardee in Louth was third. It is something of a co-incidence that Kilkenny won this years event as the festival was initiated in 1964 as part of the Kilkenny beer festival but moved to Tullamore two years later and the event has been held there since. The festival has had to be cancelled just once over the years and that was because of the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001.
The judging panel for the event was Emmett Maloney, Editor of The Journal, the reigning Queen of the Land, Catherine McCollum from Cavan and special guest judge Sorcha Ni Cheide who stars as Riona in TG4 soap Ros Na Run. Chairman of the panel, Emmet Maloney, paid tribute to Elaine who he said was “a wonderful girl” adding that “Elaine has a great personality and is a worthy winner. She is a prime example of the best of modern Irish rural females”
Contestants were judged on a range of attributes. The event is primarily a personality contest with marks also on offer for appearance, dress sense, rural knowledge and elocution. In addition, contestants underwent an interview encompassing a discussion on one of two pre-chosen topics.
The festival, which has grown from humble beginnings, is now one of the most prestigious events on the Offaly social calendar. This year it attracted over two thousand visitors to the Offaly capital at an otherwise quite time of year for tourism. The event expanded this year to coincide with the 40th celebrations with a sister festival of alternative music and bar extensions running throughout almost 30 pubs in the town.
Updates
(07/11/05 - Press Release Below, Queen Information, Gallery Updated, Accomodation, Schedule of Events, Sponsors, New Page: Festival Entertainment)
40th Queen of the land to launch this week
The press launch for this years 40th Queen of the Land Festival takes place this Friday night in the Bridge House Hotel. The festival celebrates its ruby anniversary this year with a packed line-up of entertainment throughout the town over the weekend of November 11th-13th. A special gala banquet is also being arranged for the Friday night of the weekend welcoming back all the previous queens who have ruled over the years.
The festival has gained a new premier sponsor for the event, The Journal section of the Farmers Journal, which contitutes a return to the origins of the festival in that the festival was originally initiated by the Farmers Journal forty years ago. Emmett Malone from the Journal says he is delighted to be able to get on board with the festival and that he is expecting a lively weekend in the Offaly capital.
Festival Chairman, Nigel Larkin will be the M.C. on the night, which will begin with a drinks reception at 8pm. Also on hand will be the judging panel for this years contest. They are Emmett Malone, Editor of The Journal, the reigning Queen of the Land, Catherine McCollum from Cavan and a special guest judge to be announced on the night. A number of this years contestants will also be in attendance.
Once again this years festival will have an international element with Queens representing Germany and England. There will be a wide variety of queens competing this year including students, teachers,managers and even a Chromatography Lab Analyst. Nigel Larkin is looking forward to this years event which he believes will be the best year of the festival ever. "We have pulled out all the stops to make this year special. No expense has been spared to bring the best entertainment to Tullamore the second weekend in November" he said.
The festival has joined forces with the Tullamore vintners to ensure that all the entertainment venues around Tullamore will be buzzing over the three days and nights of the festival.
2005 Festival Launch 
QUEEN OF THE LAND GETS NEW PREMIER SPONSOR
The Queen of the Land festival is delighted to be able to announce that it has signed a new sponsorship deal with 'The Journal'. The deal was signed as the festival gears up to celebrate its fortieth year in existence.
Catherine Rules The Land
Cavan girl wins Queen of the Land Festival for first time ever 
Cavan girl Catherine McCollum is the 2004 G.V.M. Auctioneers sponsored Macra Queen of the Land after beating off stiff competition from twenty one other hopefuls to take the coveted prize. Catherine, a farmer was "delighted beyond belief" with her win in a competition that has become the prestige event of the Macra calendar.
Catherine's parents were on hand to support her in Tullamore as she lifted the crown and they were accompanied by a vociferous contingent from her local Macra club, Cavan Town. Her father said he was "extremely proud of his daughter" adding that "he had a good feeling that she might sneak the title".
Catherine's victory was no surprise to many as she was highly regarded by many over the weekend in which she and the other queens were judged on appearance, dress sense, rural knowledge and elocution.
Catherine's win is the first time in the competitions thirty-nine year history of the contest. The runner-up on the night was Limerick queen, Michelle McNamara. Louth's Isobel Corrigan was third. 
Chairperson of the judging committee, Caroline Tuite who was the 2003 winner said that they "had no doubts that the best girl had won" adding that Catherine "is a contestant which best exudes the qualities of today's modern rural woman."
A host of entertainment was laid on Catherine and her fellow contestants over the weekend. It all began with the Official opening which took place on the Friday evening in the Ballroom of the Bridge House Hotel followed by a vibrant night's music and craic. 
Saturday saw the Queens take to the streets of Tullamore in search of clues in a fun treasure hunt. That night the entourage moved to the Tullamore Court Hotel where the girls were put through their paces with an onstage interview followed by more high-octane entertainment.
Sore heads were quickly cleared with a trip to mass in the impressive local church in Tullamore where the Queens were special guests. The entertainment continued with a ballad session in the Bridge House followed that evening by a gala Banquet at the same venue culminating in the crowning of Catherine as the Queen of the Land.
Catherine as Queen of the Land took home the generously sponsored G.V.M. Auctioneers perpetual trophy, a cheque for €1000 and a weekend for two in the Bridge House Hotel. 
Catherine paid tribute to the organising committee of the festival saying that all the girls were "treated like queens over the weekend" adding that "all we needed was only a call away" The Queens were accommodated in a luxury 4-star hotel for the weekend and were wined and dined for the duration of their stay while enjoying full use of all the excellent facilities on offer including the leisure centre and gym.
Updates
(12/11/04 Lots of new gallery pics)
Unfortunate news today (Thursday) as the festival is hit by two withdrawals-one a judge, the other a contestant. Due to a death in the family, Sile Ni Bhraonain has had to withdraw her services for the weekend. The committee of the festival would like to express their sympathies with Sile on the death of her aunt.
Many thanks to TG4 who have stepped in to find a replacement for the judging panel at short notice. Eimear Ní Fhátharta who plays the part of Deidre Ní Ógáin in TG4's top soap Ros Na Run has kindly agreed to step in to take Sile's place. She now joins Thomas Honner, Macra president and Caroline Tuite, reigning Queen on the three-person panel.
Sickness has forced the withdrawal of this years inaugural entry from Northern Ireland. Karina Moore, who was to have represented Co Down has been struck down by a viral infection. The festival committee wish her a speedy recovery and assure her that, if she is willing and able, she will be welcome to take her place in next years event.
Updates
(1/11/04 Commitee Info, Schedule News, Judges Info Below) 
Judges
The judging panel this year, with the difficult task of selecting the 2004 Queen of the Land are:
Caroline Tuite
Reigning Queen of the Land, Caroline Tuite, hails from Enfield in County Meath. At the time of her win she was a teacher at primary level.She has returned to college to further her education and is now a qualified second level teacher. 
Thomas Honner
Serving his second and final year of his term as preident of Macra Na Feirme, Thomas hails from Kiltegan in Co. Wiclow.
Sile Ni Bhraonain
hails from Inverin Co Galway and can be seen presenting the weather on Irish language station TG4 for the last couple of years.
UPDATES
(28/10/04 All Queens added with pictures, Sponsors, Event schedule, Prizes) 
QUEEN FESTIVAL LAUNCHED.
The Queen of the Land festival was launched in style on Friday (Oct 22nd) in the Bridge House, Tullamore. Festival Chairman promised a festival to remember with a great musical line-up that will have Tullamore rocking in November. A number of Queens were on hand at the well attended launch night as well as judges, Thomas Honner and Caroline Tuite. Festival secretary Anne Carty advided all the contestants to stock up on their sleep as they will not be getting much over the weekend.