Louise Crowley came out on top of 30 queens by impressing the judges with her personality, her passion for farming and connecting with her local community.

The second runner-up was Aisling O’Driscoll from Muskerry – Cork (Terelton) and the third runner-up was Roisin Lynch from Ramor, Cavan.

The weekend saw 30 queens descend on the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, Co Offaly early on Friday morning. They headed off on a tour around the faithful county, calling to Clonmacnoise and Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, among other sights.

After the official opening that evening, the queens took part in a forum discussion with a panel of well-known faces in the farming industry before heading to the Palace Nightclub for a night of swinging and jiving, with country music sensation Marty Mone.

On Saturday morning, the girls were up early for interviews with the judging panel – Gerard Clarke, managing director of Clarke Machinery Group; Emma Birchall, reigning 2017 Queen of the Land; Anna Marie McHugh, assistant managing director of the National Ploughing Association; and Joe Healy, IFA president, after which they were treated to hair and make-up by Ritzy’s Tullamore and Opium Skin & Beauty Salon.

Each queen was then greeted by their escorts in Hugh Lynches, who were interviewed (and mocked) by Rock on Paddy, one of Offaly’s well-known entertainers. On Saturday night, after the on-stage interviews, the crowd was entertained by Transmitter, the Groomsmen and Joe Wynne until late.

But there was no rest for the wicked. After a long night of partying, the queens were up again on Sunday morning for an epic showdown between queens and escorts in Cosmic Bowl, Tullamore. They later attended a special ceremony in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, and met some of the local people of the town.

Afterwards, they headed to the Harbour Bar for some well-earned refreshments and a chance to chat and mingle. The greatest work was yet to come, however, as the girls prepared for the gala banquet. Each queen brought glamour and style to the closing event of the festival – rivalled only by Ger Mahon, chair of the festival who is known in Macra na Feirme for his sense of style. Following the delicious banquet, the LOLS entertained the crowd. The only interruption to the dancing on the floor was at midnight, when the crowd gathered in anticipation for the announcement of the 2018 Clarke Machinery Group Queen of the Land.

Presentation

Louise Crowley was presented with the Queen of the Land Linda O’Brien tiara, the Clarke Machinery Group-sponsored perpetual trophy, the Clarke Machinery Group-sponsored €1,000 prize, a specially commissioned piece of Galway Crystal from Cahill Jewellers, a two-night break in the Bridge House Hotel and a €200 clothing voucher from Kode Clothing. Both runners-up received a €200 cash prize and a specially commissioned piece of Galway Crystal.

Escort of the year

Andrew Corrigan was announced as the escort of the year, as chosen by the queens. Andrew received a Tony O’Donoghue-sponsored perpetual trophy, a weekend stay for two in the Bridge House Hotel, a €300 clothing voucher from Guy Clothing and a prized gold card for Copper Face Jacks, Dublin.

Speaking afterwards, chair Ger Mahon said: “We, the committee, are delighted to see Louise crowned the 2018 Clarke Machinery Group Queen of the Land. We are sure she will do a great job of representing our festival all over the country for the next year. We would have been happy to see any of the contestants win as they have all proven to be charming, intelligent women. We hope they will return to the festival in the future.

‘‘Of course, we are also sad to see our 2017 reigning queen, Emma Birchall, leave her role as she has done a superb job throughout her reign.

“With another festival closing, I am most grateful to all the hard-working committee, all our generous sponsors and most of all to our supporters, who came from all over the country and further afield, to enjoy the Clarke Machinery Group Queen of the Land Festival 2018.”