News

Gemma Goulding from Co. Laois was crowned International Miss Macra 2013 at the close of the 42^nd International Miss Macra Festival which took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.  Eimear Guiney from the Avondhu region, Co. Cork achieved second place while Louise Ballantyne from Dublin was awarded third.  The winners were announced after the enchanting hour of midnight when an eerie silence descended on the ball room of Dundrum House Hotel which marked the conclusion of this year’s festival and where the Gala banquet had taken place that evening.  Gemma Goulding follows in the footsteps of Aileen Hennessy, International Miss Macra 2012, who had represented the Muskerry region, Co. Cork.  Gemma was presented with a specially-made Sterling Silver Tiara, embellished with cubic Zirconia, designed and hand crafted by Michael’s Jewellers Thurles, for the 40^th anniversary of the Festival. She also was presented with the Perpetual Silver Miss Macra trophy courtesy of Dundrum House Hotel and a cash prize of €1000.  In second place, Eimear Guiney received a specially commissioned piece of Tipperary crystal and a cash prize of €500 and Louise Ballantyne who came third also received a piece of Tipperary crystal and €300.

Over two hundred people sat down for the five course Gala Banquet Sunday evening in the luxurious Dundrum House Hotel to conclude the festival.  That morning, the Miss Macra contestants had to prove their worth by taking part in a sports day.  The entertainment on the Sunday night was provided by Memphis Band and DJ-Dundrum House Hotel.

This year saw twenty-two contestants taking part in the 42^nd International Miss Macra Festival.  Every August Bank Holiday weekend, Clonoulty-Rossmore Macra na Feirme hosts this fabulous festival from the Welcoming ceremony on Friday afternoon to the Gala Banquet Sunday night, which continues on to the early hours of Monday morning.  Every person involved in the precise planning and organising of the festival does so on a completely voluntary basis and the success of this year’s festival should particularly go to Donnacha Ryan (Chairperson) and his dedicated team.