Laura Donellan will represent Clare Macra this weekend at the 55th Annual Tullamore Credit Union Queen of the Land Festival, which is being organised by members of Offaly Macra na Feirme.
Laura is a 22 year old student and an active member of Sixmilebridge Macra na Feirme. She is Chairperson of the club and taken part in many national events including Toughest Club, the National Talent Competition and more. Some of her many hobbies and interests include trad music, song and dance. She’s also partial to country music. For Laura, winning the title of the Queen of the Land 2019 would be “an honour”. “Since hearing about the Queen of the Land Festival in my local papers 5 to 6 years ago, I have always wanted to take part in the Festival”.
Laura has a jam-packed schedule for the Festival weekend. She will meet with the other 28 finalists for a tour of county Offaly, stopping at Clonmacnoise one of the country’s top visitor attractions, and Dan & Molly’s in Ballyboy, a small thatched pub favoured by locals. That evening, the Queens will return to the town for the Grand Opening at the Tullamore Credit Union at 6pm and followed by Bingo Bongo madness and the very entertaining Dooley Brothers in Hugh Lynches.
Saturday starts early for Laura as she enters her private interview with the judges. This years judges include Denis Delaney, CEO of Tullamore Credit Union; Aimee McKeever, Editor of Irish Country Living; and of course, the lovely Louise Crowley of Limerick who won the title last year of Queen of the Land 2018. She will be pampered by the wonderful make up artists and Ritzy’s hairdressers over the weekend.
The hotly anticipated event of the Festival is of course when the Queens meet the Paupers. Each Queen will be matched with a well trained escort who will hold their handbag, steady any nerves and make sure their is nothing in her teeth. And often, for our single Queens, love blooms! The escorts themselves will be put in the hotseat at 3pm in the Phoenix Bar where MC Adam Burke of Enfield Macra will grill them!
But later that evening is the girls turn to take the stage. At 6pm, the Queens begin their on-stage interviews in the Bridge House Hotel with MC Will Falkner, the much loved Midlands 103 DJ. Once Laura finishes on stage, she can let her hair down and party! The entertainment line up is massive this year with Joe Wynne, the Groomsmen, DJ Jason, Big Generator and, iRadio DJ and 1990’s hitmaker, DJ Mark McCabe!! Tickets to the Friday night will be in huge demand so buy online or get there early to avoid disappointment!
On Sunday morning, the Queens meet with the local people at Sunday Mass in the Church of the Assumption Tullamore. Later they meet for Craic & Ceol in the Old Harbour Bar and when the Queens all scarper off to get ready, the Escorts can be found there still up to minutes before the Black Tie Banquet. The four course meal is hosted in the Bridge House Hotel’s charming Charleville Suite and brings everyone together over good food and conversation for one last time before the weekend ends. All followed by band the LOLs and a DJ till late, Sunday night is arguably the greatest night of the three. Interrupted only at midnight to announce the winner of the 2019 Tullamore Credit Union Queen of the Land!
More information and tickets for all three nights of the Festival are available on www.queenofthelandfestival.com. €10 admission to Bingo Bongo and the Dooley brothers in Hugh Lynches on Friday 8th. €15 admission to the Queen’s onstage interviews as well as the massive party including Big Generator, DJ Mark McCabe and more on Saturday 9th! €45 admission to the Black Tie Banquet in the Bridge House Hotel. €10 admission for the entertainment only on Sunday 10th.
A weekend pass for all three nights is available for €65. Tickets may be purchased online or on the door – note that weekend and banquet tickets must be purchased in advance online. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for chances to win tickets and for all the news about the Tullamore Credit Union Queen of the Land 2019.