Miss Macra hopefuls gather in Tipperary
The 46th annual International Miss Macra festival, run by Clonoulty/Rossmore Macra na Feirme, kicks off tomorrow night, .
Once again, contestants will travel from all over the country and beyond to Co Tipperary to compete for the honour of being crowned International Miss Macra 2017, succeeding 2016 winner Sinéad Guiney from Co Cork.
Proceedings will get under way tomorrow with the contestants meeting the festival committee in the Anner Hotel in Thurles.
They will then enjoy a tour of the world-famous Coolmore Stud Farm, followed by lunch, before taking part in a zumba class in Clonoulty Community Hall where they will meet their host families.
Tomorrow night, a charity traditional music night will take place in Coffey’s of Stouke from 9.30pm.
Saturday morning heralds the beginning of an intense day for the contestants, as they must rise early and prepare for their private interviews in front of a three-person judging panel comprised of Joan Pollard Carew, Declan Ryan, and a Spin South West representative .
Joan Pollard Carew is representing Michael Carew Jewellers, Friar Street, Thurles, the main sponsor of the festival.
Joan is a published poet and is well known nationally in Irish art and Irish dancing circles.
Declan Ryan is president of the Clonoulty/Rossmore Macra club.
Saturday evening’s cabaret will occur in the Dome, Semple Stadium, Thurles, where the contestants will be interviewed on stage two at a time by a Spin South West host.
The interviews will be followed by live music from The Waxies.
Sunday morning will begin with the contestants attending Mass at Clonoulty Parish Church.
The choir accompanying this ceremony is comprised annually of members of Clonoulty Rossmore Macra and members of the local community.
Following Mass, the contestants will take part in a family fun field day, in the Clonoulty GAA grounds.
They will have to show their worth by participating in many country-inspired activities.
All this will be followed by a barbecue, weather permitting, which will be cooked by local butcher Joe Hammersley.
On Sunday night, the highlight of the festival, the International Miss Macra gala banquet will take place in the Anner Hotel.
To begin, all the contestants, along with their escorts will be photographed, before a champagne reception.
The contestants, their escorts, host families, supporters and Macra and non-Macra members will all sit down to enjoy a delicious five-course meal.
The meal will be followed by various speeches, live music by Silver Dollar and dancing.
At the enchanting hour of 12 midnight, silence will descend on the ballroom as the the winner is crowned.
To find out more, find the event on Facebook, follow the festival on Twitter or check out missmacra.com
