Kildare student Emma is crowned Queen of the Land

Kilcullen medical student Emma Birchall was crowned the Queen of the Land in Tullamore at the weekend.

Emma was presented with: the W.R. Shaw Queen of the Land Linda O’Brien tiara; the W.R. Shaw sponsored perpetual trophy; the W.R. Shaw sponsored €1,000 prize; a specially commissioned piece of Galway Crystal from Cahill Jewellers.

The UCC student also won a two night break in the Bridge House Hotel; and a €200 clothing voucher from Kode Clothing.

Some 31 queens from all over the country – as well as queens from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland – took part in this year’s festival. Huge crowds were attracted the course of the weekend, according to organisers.

During the festival, contestants were judged on a range of attributes – including appearance, dress sense, rural knowledge and elocution.