Curragh girl Kathryn in Miss Macra final

Kathryn Snell, a nineteen year old student will represent Kildare in the 45th annual International Miss Macra Festival in Thurles on the August Bank Holiday weekend of July 29th, 30th and 31st. The event will represent a major economic and cultural boost to Thurles with a Nineties themed disco in Hayes Hotel on Friday the 29th, a cabaret in the Dome, Semple Stadium on Saturday the 30th, and a banquet in the Anner Hotel on Sunday 31st of July. Each contestant will take part in a range of activities and interviews over the course of the weekend which includes the traditional Miss Macra mass on the Sunday, which is followed by a macra/sports day which will be held in Clonoulty.

22 girls from different parts of Ireland and abroad will compete for the title of Miss Macra International 2016 this August Bank Holiday weekend.

The Kildare representative, Kathryn Snell was selected from a group of Kildare macra ladies last March. Daughter of dry stock farmers Tom and Bernadette Snell, Kathryn is a past pupil of Ballysax National School and Cross and Passion College Secondary school Kilcullen.

Kathryn who is a member of last year’s Best Emerging Macra Club, Naas Macra, was also recently elected as the club’s PRO. Kathryn would like to show young people all that Macra has to offer through the wide range of activities available to Macra members which includes; Public Speaking, Capers, farm walks, stock judging, and many sporting activities, basketball and tag rugby to name but a few.

Macra also provides many travel opportunities in Ireland and abroad which allows you to meet new people and make long-lasting friends.

Kathryn said: "Winning Miss Macra would mean a lot to me. As well as making new friends I would like to increase people’s knowledge of the existence of Macra as I feel many young people are unaware of the existence of macra”.

Tickets are still available for this fun filled festival and more information can be found on the Miss Macra Festival Facebook page and on Naas Macra’s Facebook page.

All support is welcomed for our fellow Lilywhite, Kathryn Snell, and we wish her all the best in the lead up to the festival.