After a three-year hiatus, Macra’s Queen of the Land festival is returning to Tullamore, Co Offaly.

On 11 and 12 November, 27 queens from around the country will compete to be crowned this year’s Queen of the Land.

Now in its 56th year, the Queen of the Land festival is one of Macra’s most popular events. Tullamore Credit Union continues its sponsorship of the two-day festival, which will be held in the Bridge House Hotel.

Judges of this year’s contest are Maria Walsh, a Rose of Tralee winner, Sinead Conry, 2019 Queen of the Land winner, and Paul Shaw, Tullamore Credit Union CEO.

The weekend kicks off on Friday 11 November with the official opening at the Patrick St office of Tullamore Credit Union at 4pm.

Interviews

The onstage interviews, with Midlands 103 Peter Dunne as MC, take place on Friday night, starting at 8pm in the Bridge House. Entertainment will follow until late.

Saturday sees a day of interviews and tours for the contestants, including the Tullamore Dew visitor centre.

The banquet dinner will follow at 7.30pm, followed by entertainment by Big Generator plus many more. Doors open at 9.30pm and the winner will be announced during the night.

Tickets are available online for both nights and links can be found on the official Facebook page. Entertainment tickets for both nights are available on the door.

Here we profile all 27 contestants.

Clare McLernon

Longwood/Killyon, Co Meath.

Occupation: farm worker / farmer.

Interests: farming, photography, hiking, crochet, cross-stitch and dancing including line dancing, jiving, ballroom and Latin styles.

Gerimae Murphy

Ballymurphy Carlow.

Occupation: Student at FCJ Secondary School, Wexford.

Interests: Animals, GAA, horse riding.

Five years from now, where do you see yourself? As a qualified primary school teacher, possibly working in Dubai.

Gráinne McPhillips

Kilnaleck, Cavan.

Occupation: Primary school teacher

Likes: Travelling, socialising, spending time with family and friends and karaoke.Dislikes: Snakes, tomatoes and not having a plan.

Lucy Killackey

Sixmilebridge, Kilmurry, Clare

Occupation: General nurse.

Interests: Baking, cooking, jiving lessons.

Is there any personality you would like to meet and why? I would like to meet Tommy Tiernan as he has a wicked sense of humour.

Rachel McNamara

Avondhu, Cork.

Occupation: College technician at Salesian Agricultural College.

Interests: Camogie, Irish Holstein Friesian Association.

What would it mean to you if you became the Queen of the Land 2022?

It would be an honour for me to be crowned Queen of the Land 2022. It is a competition that I always wanted to take part in.

Brittany Devine

Imokilly, Cork.

Occupation: CEO of Equility.

Interests: Horse Riding, farming.

Do you play a musical instrument, sing or dance? Not currently, but I would love to learn how to play drums.

Siobhan Lyons

Muskerry, Cork.

Occupation: Health care assistant.

Interests: Hiking, country music.

What are your personal goals and ambitions? I would actually love to learn how to play an instrument so might set that goal for myself

Sheila Kelleher

Seandún, Cork.

Occupation: Chaplain at University College Cork.

Interests: Baking, swimming, reading.

Is there any personality you would like to meet and why? Una Leonard of 2210 Patisserie in Mullingar – I love her cakes and decorating style and would love to get some tips from her.

Sophia Kingston

Carbery, Cork.

Occupation: Agricultural adviser/social worker.

Interests: Travelling, running, hiking.What are your personal goals and ambitions? I’d like to climb Kilimanjaro and Everest base camp.

Catherine O’Grady

North Co Dublin.

Occupation: Canine hydrotherapist.

Interests: Equestrian hunting club, photography.

Where do you see yourself five years from now? Reading an article about a Dublin girl winning Queen of the Land, even if it’s not me, but that would be a bonus.

Jessica Duncan

Raphoe, Donegal.

Occupation: Student in agriculture science at ATU Letterkenny.

Interests: Cooking, swimming, badminton.

List your favourite entertainers/performers: Adele, David Craig, The Red Shepherdess.

Tara Roche

Connemara, Galway.

Occupation: Self-employed equestrian.

Interests: Horse riding, swimming, hiking.

List your favourite entertainers/performers: I enjoy country music such as Clodagh Lawlor and Galway native Mike Denver. I recently saw Garth Brooks live in Croke Park but enjoy going to The Well in Moate just as quick.

Katie McCarthy

Kerry.

Occupation: Agricultural adviser.

Interests: Farming, hiking, baking.

List your favourite entertainers/performers: Mike Denver, The Whistlin Donkeys, The 2 Johnnies, Ed Sheeran.

Alice Hodges

Naas, Kildare.

Occupation: Part-time farmer; social media, Irish Farmers Journal.

Interests: Hiking, horse riding, weight lifting.

What personal quality are you most proud of? To be able to be happy and pleasant most of the time.

Joanne Cushen

Callan, Kilkenny.

Occupation: Farmer.

Interests: Breeding Irish sports horses, flower arranging.

Likes and dislikes

I love the outdoors, but hate getting wet.

Hazel Seale

Durrow/Abbeyleix, Laois.

Occupation: Process technician, Glanbia

Interests: Walking, playing sports.

Is there any personality you would like to meet? Keith Barry. I’d be intrigued to see if he could read my mind!

Ciara Dennigan

South Longford.

Occupation: Studying agricultural science in SETU Waterford.

Interests: Show Jumping Ireland.

What are your personal goals and ambitions? I would love to represent Ireland in showjumping at the Young Horse World Championships.

Angela Fleming

Deel, Ardagh, Co Mayo.

Occupation: Farmer/O’Hara’s Bakery Foxford.

Interests: Farming, walking my dog, swimming.

What are your personal goals and ambitions? I’d like to see all the hidden gems of this beautiful country we call home. Hot air balloon. Expand my farm.

Kerrie Ann Connolly

Monaghan.

Occupation: Studying social care.

Interests: Football, jiving, going to the mart.

Where do you see yourself five years from now? Travelling the world, working in family support, starting a masters.

Sarah Kelly

Ferbane/Banagher, Offaly.

Occupation: Primary school teacher

Interests: Baking and cooking, fashion, hiking.

Have you previously entered any events similar to the Queen of the Land Festival? I have competed in the Miss Macra and Blue Jean Country Queen festivals.

Kelsey Daly

South Roscommon.

Occupation: Studying Food and Agri Business in UCD.

Interests: Photography, tag rugby, farming.

What qualities do you think the Queen of the Land should have? I think she should be outgoing, full of energy and approachable by all young and old. As it’s Queen of the Land, some interest in the agri sector might be of benefit to them in their role.

Elaine Flanagan

Benbulben, Sligo.

Occupation: Banker.

Interests: GAA, gym, play trad music.

What personal quality are you most proud of? Dedication – to be committed to my job, Macra and my GAA club, by being involved and participating in different events.

Lisa Meade

North Tipperary.

Occupation: Secondary school teacher

Interests: Swimming, gym, walking.

Have you previously entered any events similar to the Queen of the Land Festival? Miss Blue Jeans and also took part in the Tipperary Rose selection.

Edel Ryan

South Tipperary.

Occupation: Piano teacher and teaches English as a foreign language.

Interests: Cooking, comedy gigs, musicals.

What qualities do you think the Queen of the Land should have? Interest in Macra and agricultural affairs, ardent desire to use the platform to promote Macra, especially as more than just a farmer’s club, and to be friendly, personable and communicative to be able to engage with and relate to other people at events or talks etc.