This year’s festival has 32 queens competing for the title of WR Shaw Queen of the Land 2016, including representatives from Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. The festival takes place in Tullamore from 11 to 13 November.

This year’s judges are Christine Buckley, reigning WR Shaw Queen of the Land 2015, Billy Shaw, representative of WR Shaw, and guest judge Anna Marie McHugh, NPA representative and 1989 Queen of the Land. The MC for the weekend is comedian and impersonator Frank Forde.

“We are delighted to have WR Shaw back as the main sponsors of the festival and we extend our sincere gratitude to them for their continued support and commitment to the Queen of the Land Festival,” said festival committee chair Ger Mahon, speaking at the launch in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore. “We are also delighted to have the Irish Farmers Journal on board again this year as our media partners.”

The festival was founded in 1964 and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever.

“We have pulled out all the stops to ensure that the 2016 WR Shaw Queen of the Land Festival is the best yet and with a superb lineup of entertainment for this year’s festival, you won’t be disappointed”, Mahon said.

Weekend schedule

Friday 13 November

12pm Queens depart for tour of Clonmacnoise and Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre.

7pm Official opening ceremony of the WR Shaw Queen of the Land Festival 2016 in Bridge House, Tullamore.

9.30pm International act in the Palace nightclub. Entry €10, payable at the door.

Saturday 14 November

3pm Queens introduced to escorts at Hugh Lynch’s Bar – free entry.

8pm Interviews in Bridge House Hotel by comedian Frank Forde. Tickets €15, payable at the door, with music afterwards by Megabeat, Legacy and Joe Wynne, with DJ until late after 12pm.

Sunday 15 November

6pm Official photographs at Bridge House Hotel

7pm WR Shaw Queen of the Land Festival gala banquet commences in the Bridge House Hotel. Tickets are €35 and must be booked in advance through Ger Mahon.

9.30pm Music by The Greatest Day, followed by DJ until late in the Bridge House Hotel. Tickets €15 payable at the door.

Midnight Official crowning of the WR Shaw Queen of the Land 2016 followed by dancing till late.