Since its foundation in 1964, the Queen of the Land festival has gone from strength to strength, and with W.R. Shaw back as the main sponsors and the committee pulling out all the stops, this year’s event promises to be the best yet.

During the weekend, over 32 queens from Macra na Feirme clubs all over Ireland, as well as international representatives, will be assessed by a judging panel including Christine Buckley (reigning W.R. Shaw Queen of the Land 2015), Billy Shaw (W.R. Shaw representative) and Anna-Marie McHugh (National Ploughing Association and Queen of the Land from 1989).

Browse the picture gallery above to see all the contestants.

Friday will see the official opening of the festival at the Bridge House Hotel at 6.30pm, with doors opening at 9.30pm for a DJ act. On-stage interviews with the queens will take place on Saturday night with MC and comedian Frank Forde, with doors opening at 7pm, followed by music by Megabeat, Legacy and Joe Wynne and disco.

Highlight

The highlight of the weekend is guaranteed to be the gala banquet on Sunday night, with music by The Greatest Day and the crowning of the 2016 W.R. Shaw Queen of the Land at midnight.

Weekend entertainment tickets for entry to all events (including gala banquet) are available for €60 and can be ordered in advance from Ger Mahon on 085-2471 416, while gala banquet tickets are €35. Admission is also available on the door for the opening night, on-stage interviews and crowning ceremony.

For further information, visit www.queenofthelandfestival.com or email queenofthelandfestival@gmail.com.