Little more than a year after first joining Macra, a Cork woman is enjoying the first weeks of her reign as 2013 FBD Queen of the Land. And it seems that having a tiara and sash holds some sway at home when you are one of seven children.

“I haven’t been caught for clearing the table lately,” laughs 25-year-old Geraldine Barrett, who became the 49th winner to take the prestigious title.

Raised on a dairy and suckler farm in Ballineen, Co Cork, run by her parents JJ and Mary Barrett, Geraldine is a member of Kilmeen Macra, but during the week crosses the border into Co Kerry, where she works as a home economics and religion teacher at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra in Rathmore.

Geraldine joined Macra after returning home to Cork after college as a way of meeting new people. She is now assistant chair of the club and enjoys the variety that it offers.

“We’ve done everything from céilí dancing to stock judging and fencing,” says Geraldine, who has a wide range of interests, including singing, dancing, running and volunteering, having spent time in Lourdes and Kenya, and previously worked with Co-Action in Bantry.

However, taking the FBD Queen of the Land title took her by complete surprise.

“It has taken me a week to get over the shock,” she says. “But I’d like to thank all the club members and my family and friends for the bonfires and parties, and also the students and staff at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra and Co-Action for all their support.”

Geraldine will now represent the festival and Macra Na Feirme at many events during the year, including the upcoming senior citizens Christmas party, run by the Kilmeen social club. According to chair of the FBD Queen of the Land committee Gerard Mahon, the Cork woman is the perfect fit for the role.

“According to the judges, Geraldine was perfect to take on the role of Queen of the Land in every sense, from her rural knowledge to her down-to-earth personality,” he says.

“The festival was a great success, and we estimate it brought about 4,000 people into the town over the weekend. Plans are already afoot for next year’s event, which will be the 50th anniversary of the festival, with plans to invite the previous winners back to Tullamore. We would sincerely like to thank our partners FBD for their continued support, and the Irish Farmers Journal for their role as our media partner.”

Second place was awarded to Amanda Conway, a trainee manager from Croom in Limerick, and third went to Kate Wainwright, the first queen from England, who runs an accountancy business in Derbyshire.

The 50th Queen of the Land festival will take place in Tullamore from 7-9 November 2014. Visit www.queenofthelandfestival.com CL