Queen of the Land through the years

This weekend from Friday to Sunday the Tullamore Credit Union Queen of the Land Festival will take place.

The annual three-day event hosted by Offaly Macra na Feirme aims to celebrate the talents and achievements of the young women of Macra.

Contestants from across the country will compete for the title of Queen of the Land based on their personality, energy, confidence, rural knowledge and eloquence. To mark the occasion, we speak to three winners down through the years about their Queen of the Land experience.

1980 winner, Redcross Macra, Co Wicklow

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was 20 or 21 at the time when I won. For the past 10 years my mother is a stroke patient so I’ve been her full-time carer. I do some sheep farming and it fits in with my lifestyle at the moment.

What was Queen of the Land like when you won?

I absolutely loved it. We met all the girls from the different counties and some of them remain friends since. I got help with what to wear and what not to wear. We stayed in what was then the Bolger Arms Hotel. It was a wonderful weekend. We were looked after, fed and brought around to see Birr Castle. You don’t know what to expect and you don’t know if you’re going to be up for it or if you’re going to present yourself well enough.

What did you get from taking part in Queen of the Land?

Social interaction and getting to know people from around the country. When you’re farming you don’t have that social interaction very often. You can be very isolated so it was a lovely event to go to. In life there will be times when you’ll have to meet people in a business-like way and how you present yourself matters. I learned that from the lead-up and from taking part.

Do you think the competition is still relevant in today’s society?

Maybe it’s more relevant than ever! There are so many ups and downs in farming and women have their voice. It’s a great sounding board for women. A little something for them to aim towards at the end of a busy year, when people have a bit of time to relax and socialise. The Rose of Tralee never died out, it’s as popular as ever. Queen of the Land is like the farming Rose of Tralee.

What was the reaction like when you won?

It was fantastic. On the night, Dickie Rock was playing, and the reaction was absolutely wonderful. Everyone that was there was a winner. It was a very special time in my life. The club were delighted, they already had a winner previously, and she was one of those people who really supported me. It was a lovely icing on the cake for me.

Since Queen of the Land, what have you gone on to do?

When I would know of a new girl going as a competitor I would have been as helpful as I could in the years following. I’ve been keeping an eye on current affairs and I’m always interested to see what’s going on. Occasionally I’ve been invited back over the years to Queen of the Land to meet the past winners and current participants.

1994 winner, Shinrone Macra, Co Offaly

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

In 1994 I was working as a medical secretary and I’m still in the same GP surgery as I was then. I’m a housewife, I work full time and I was in the Shinrone branch.

1994 was a great year; I met my husband, I came second in Blue Jeans Queen, I won Queen of the Land and Offaly won the hurling. I was the reserve person after the branch interviews, but the other girl couldn’t do it so I stepped in with some short notice.

What was Queen of the Land like when you won?

I was the first ever Offaly winner. I went and I was totally relaxed, I enjoyed the whole weekend and then came out the winner which was a huge surprise.

There were interviews, there was a project and there was how you got on with people. There were about 10 different categories. You were always fair and honest when you were on that stage. The truer you are to yourself, the better you will get on.

What did you get from taking part in Queen of the Land?

It was the camaraderie and meeting a great bunch of girls. When you’re in the situation yourself that is exactly what happens. You meet up with all these girls and it’s at the back of your mind that it’s a competition.

Do you think the competition is still relevant in today’s society?

It’s absolutely still very important. It gives males and females loads of opportunities to meet up.

You could meet people in other Macra clubs outside of the county. It really grounds you as a person. It’s the highlight of the Macra calendar.

What was the reaction like when you won?

My club celebrated it, it meant so much to them. Looking back now I’m very proud, nearly prouder now than at the time. Great publicity, great photographs and great craic. I was stunned as you could have seen in the photographs.

There was a bonfire at home and I received loads of cards. I was famous for a bit, but you’re still normal. You don’t have to be anything other than yourself.

Since Queen of the Land ,what have you gone on to do?

I got married and we have four children – three boys and a girl. I’ve done musicals, been part of a drama group and been involved in a choir. Offaly Macra have been so good to me, they always acknowledge me and invite me back.

You wouldn’t be talking about Queen of the Land everyday but it’s the odd snippets, like when I was cleaning a shelf and there was a present I got during Queen of the Land.

2016 winner, Ballinagore Macra, Co Westmeath

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m farming beef at home full time with my dad, but I also have my own herd number. I’m building up my herd as the years go on, because Dad is still very active on the home farm. I do millinery on the side too.

What was Queen of the Land like when you won?

All of the Queens got together on Friday morning we were brought on a tour of Offaly. On Friday night we took it easy – took it easy, as in there were no interviews. There was entertainment.

The private interviews took place mostly on Saturday. The Queens were pampered with hair and makeup as well and that evening the on-stage interviews took place.

After the interviews everyone really breathed a sigh of relief. On Sunday morning we went bowling, followed by mass at 1pm. It was an incredible weekend, it went by in the blink of an eye.

What did you get from taking part in Queen of the Land?

It was a hugely positive experience. I wouldn’t have described myself as being overly confident beforehand. To be honest, I don’t even think I would have had the gumption to go and try the millinery stuff only for the boost in confidence it gave me that year. It forced me to do things out of my comfort zone for the whole year. I took on the idea for the year of “don’t say no to anything”, go with it no matter how scared or apprehensive you are. After that I kept on that attitude.

Do you think the competition is still relevant in today’s society?

I know there are always going to be people just looking at it on the surface. The camaraderie and the friends you make; I have made lifelong friends as a result of being in that competition. In this world, women need to stick together. It’s a tough enough world to get by in.

What was the reaction like when you won?

Shock and disbelief. We were all very surprised, me more than anyone. It definitely took two months to sink in. Looking back, I can’t believe I got to do some of the things I did that year. I was brought to a roundtable beef discussion in the Department of Agriculture within the first week.

Since Queen of the Land, what have you gone on to do?

I’m still a member of my local Macra club. Farming is still taking up 100% of my time and the millinery is whatever I can squeeze in after that.

Read more

My Farming Week: Louise Crowley, Croom, Co Limerick

Queen of the Land: Connecting great women in Irish agriculture