Karen Elliffe of Ballingore Macra in Westmeath was crowned the 2016 WR Shaw Queen of the Land at the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore last Sunday.

Karen paid great tribute to her family and fellow contestants who had made it the “most memorable weekend ever” and thanked the Queen of the Land committee for making each one of them feel special. Karen comes away from Tullamore with the prestigious WR Shaw Queen of the Land title and the Linda O’Brien tiara that accompanies the title, a specially commissioned piece of Galway Crystal from Cahill Jewellers, €1,000 sponsored by WR Shaw, a two-night break in the Bridge House Hotel and a €200 clothing voucher from Kode Clothing.

Aoife Dooner from Kildare took the first runner-up prize and Hannah Barton from England took second runner-up.Chris Manley was selected as best escort and receives a €200 voucher for Guy Clothing and a weekend break in the Central Hotel. Contestants were judged on a range of attributes including appearance, dress sense, rural knowledge and elocution. The festival, which has grown from humble beginnings, is now one of the most prestigious events on the Offaly social calendar. Huge crowds attended this year’s festival from all over Ireland due, in no small part, to the fantastic lineup of entertainment and 32 entries from all four corners of the country along with our English, Scottish and Northern Ireland Queen.

On Friday morning, the queens went on tours to Clonmacnoise, Tullamore Dew and ended the night with entertainment from Ultrabeat, followed by dancing in the Palace Nightclub.

On Saturday morning, the queens were interviewed by the judging panel of Christine Buckley, reigning WR Shaw Queen of the Land 2015; Billy Shaw of WR Shaw and Anna-Marie McHugh, National Ploughing Association and Queen of the Land in 1989. On Saturday night, the queens were put through their paces on stage by MC Frank Forde, comedian and impersonator, and they danced the night away to The Greatest Day, Legacy and Joe Wynne. On Sunday, after a day of pampering in Ritzy’s Hairdressing and Olivia’s Beauty Boutique, nerves were beginning to show for the winner’s announcement at midnight.

Announcing the winners, judge and reigning Queen Christine Buckley complimented the queens for being excellent ambassadors for their clubs and counties and wished the 2016 queen, Karen McElliffe, well for the coming year.