The 51st annual WR Shaw Queen of the Land festival, which took place in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, Co Offaly, over three days from 13-15 November has once again proved to be a resounding success. The Queen of the Land Festival and WR Shaw were proud to announce Christine Buckley as the Queen of the Land for 2015. Hailing from Killeentierna, Co Kerry, Christine was overwhelmed when the announcement was made. Christine paid great tribute to her fellow contestants who had made it the “most memorable weekend ever” and especially thanked the Queen of the Land committee for making each one of them feel special.

Christine comes away from Tullamore with the prestigious WR Shaw Queen of the Land title and the Linda O’Brien tiara that accompanies it, a specially commissioned piece of Galway Crystal from Cahill Jewellers, €1,000 sponsored by WR Shaw, a two-night break in the Bridge House Hotel and a €200 clothing voucher from Kode. Margaret Kelleher from Cork Avondhu took first runner-up and Agnieszka Urbaniak from Mayo took second runner-up. Conor Quinn was selected by the Queens as best escort and receives a €200 voucher for Guy Clothing and a weekend break in the Central Hotel.

Judging

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. The festival, which has grown from humble beginnings, is now one of the most prestigious events on the Offaly social calendar.

Huge crowds attended this year’s festival from all over Ireland, due in no small part to the fantastic lineup of entertainment and 30 entries from all four corners of the country, along with the Scottish and Northern Ireland Queens.

Announcing the winner was judge and reigning Queen Orla Murphy, who complimented the Queens for being excellent ambassadors for their clubs and counties and wished the 2015 Queen well for the coming year.