The winners of International Miss Macra 2013 were announced at the weekend. Miss Gemma Goulding from Laois won International Miss Macra 2013, with Cork’s Miss Eimer Guiney and Dublin’s Miss Louise Ballantyne (Dublin), both runners-up.

The  judges included Joan Pollard Carew of Michael’s Jewellers, Deirdre Crowe Manageress of Dundrum House Hotel and Declan Ryan President of Clonoulty/Rossmore Macra na Feirme.

The event attracted an estimated 6,000 visitors over the three days, while 22 intelligent and talented beauties took part, all competing for the coveted title International Miss Macra 2013.

Judges, following three days of painstaking investigation and evaluation, eventually unanimously agreed on their winners.

Miss Macra organising Festival committee, led by chairman Mr Donnacha Ryan, would like to send an enormous ‘Thank You’ to all their sponsors, host families and local businesses who continue year after year to be generous supporters of the festival.  In particular world famous Coolmore Stud, Dundrum House Hotel, Michael’s Jewellers Thurles, Tipperary Co-Op, FBD Thurles and Gleeson Concrete.

This year’s Clonoulty / Rossmore International Miss Macra organising committee were all under the age of 23 years. Each year the festival continues to get bigger and better, despite staging costs annually, which are in excess of €20,000.

Miss Macra 2013 Festival, images courtesy George Willoughby