Westmeath woman Karen Elliffe was crowned the 52nd W.R. Shaw Queen of the Land for 2016 at a gala dinner held in Tullamore on Sunday night.

Karen said she was “overwhelmed” with her win and thanked her family and 31 fellow contestants for making it the “most memorable weekend ever”.

Karen is a member of the Ballinagore Macra na Feirme club. She is a drystock farmer and lists her hobbies as jiving, gym, baking and volunteering.

Karen comes away from Tullamore with the prestigious W.R. Shaw Queen of the Land title and the Linda O’Brien tiara that accompanies it. She also received a specially commissioned piece of Galway Crystal from Cahill Jewellers, €1,000 sponsored by W.R. Shaw, a two-night break in the Bridge House Hotel, and a €200 clothing voucher from Kode Clothing.

Aoife Dooner from Kildare was first runner-up while Hannah Barton from England took second runner-up. Chris Manley was the best escort and received a €200 voucher for Guy Clothing and a weekend break in the Central Hotel.

The festival is now one of the most prestigious events on the Offaly social calendar, attracting huge crowds from all over Ireland during the weekend, particularly for the gala banquet on the Sunday night.