The Lady of the Erne on Friday 18th July 2008 at 8pm
Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan

Main Sponsor: Quinn Direct Insurance
The Lady of the Erne began in 1991, the aim of cultivating and promoting cultural crossborder relations in a different way. 18 years later, hundreds of young women, from both North and South, have stood vied for the Lady of the Erne title. Today the event encompasses 15 Counties in Ireland, with contestants and their families travelling from near and far, to attend this prestigious event.

A big thank you to all our sponsors; Quinn Direct Insurance, Jezann’s Boutique in conjunction with Michel Ambers Fashion, Cavan Crystal Glass, Belleek Pottery, Slieve Russell Hotel, McQuaids Opticians Belturbet, Lily Pad Florists, Erne Beauty Salon, Emerald Star, Impressions Hair Salon, Tir na Nog Beauty Salon, Woodlands Hotel Adare,Paul Hyde Printing Adare, The K Boutique Adare, Meridian Care Belturbet, Cavan Tourist Association and Fay’s Coaches. Their continued support has insured that The Lady of the Erne is now in its 18th year.

Congratulations once again to the
Lady of the Erne 2007
Sineád McTernan
Donegal
Born in London, Sinead moved to her mother’s native Donegal when she was three years old and is our Donegal Lady tonight. Sinead is currently studying professional cookery at the Tourism College, Killybegs and we are told she’s a top hand in the kitchen having won a Gold Medal and Overall Winner a the Regional Cookery competitions in October 2006, not to mention three
Bronze Medals in the RDS…so move over Jamie Oliver! Besides cooking, Sinead loves attending concerts and festivals.
Find out who Sineád will be
handing the honour to on…

Meet the Finalists of the Lady of the Erne 2008 -

Heats 2008
Here are the entrants for this years’ glittering event:

Olive Casey
Twenty year old Olive Casey hails from Rathkeale and is our Limerick
Lady. Olive is a student of Limerick Senior College and is studying
Interior Design. She is currently working with Shannon Transport
for the summer. Her hobbies are tennis, walking, listening to music
and shopping. She is also interested in sketching and travel. 2008 has
already been a great year for Olive because not only was she chosen
as the Limerick Lady of the Erne but she is also a staunch supporter
of the Munster Rugby team.
Aine Murphy
Tyrone Lady of the Erne Aine Murphy is eighteen years old and
comes from Fivemiletown. She has just completed her final year of
A Levels and she is looking forward to taking a year out after all her
hard work to do some travelling, but she will head for university in
2009. She has a strong interest in traditional Irish music and hopes
to further this by obtaining her diploma in performance. In her spare
time, she enjoys socialising, listening, playing and teaching music,
along with keeping fit.
Lisa Gillick
Twenty three year old Lisa Gillick is a native of Bailieboro and she
is our East Cavan Lady of the Erne. She comes from a large family,
having five brothers and one sister. Working as a Business Account
Manager for King Communications, Lisa gets to travel the length and
breadth of the country where she enjoys meeting lots of new people.
Having been chosen as Miss Sally West in 2007, Lisa got the opportunity
to represent the boutique at a national level in an event in
Citiwest Hotel where she met celebrities such as Rosanna Davison
and Karen Kostner.
Aisling Tierney
Our Monaghan Lady of the Erne is twenty-two year old Aisling
Tierney who is a native of Clones. Aisling has a degree in History
and Geography from St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra and she has
been teaching for the past year in Largy College in Clones. She is not
resting on her laurels during the summer holidays though, as she is
working Ulster Bank in Belturbet. A keen Ladies footballer, Aisling
has been playing with her club and county from an early age and is
interested in all types of sports. She also loves music and going to festivals.

Sunday 6th July 2008 Photo-shoot at Emerald Star Marina in Belturbet. Girls meet for the first time and have photos taken for media.

Thursday 17th July 2008

10:15am Assemble in Seven Horseshoes, Main St Belturbet for Tea/Coffee

11:15am Visit local businesses

12:00pm Depart Belturbet

1:15pm Arrive Belleek Pottery - Tour

2:00pm Lunch

2:45pm Depart Belleek

4:00pm Assemble at The Widow’s Bar Belturbet

5:30pm Return to Accommodation

7:00pm Reception/Buffet in Seven Horse Shoes Belturbet

9:00pm Interviews with Judges

10:30pm Hit the local hot-spots!

12:00pm Return to Accommodation

Friday 18th July 2008

9:15am Depart Accommodation

9:30am Cruise on River Erne courtesy of Emerald Star Marina.

11:00am Depart for Cavan Crystal. Tour of same and light refreshments

12:45pm Arrive at Cavan County Courthouse for Civic Reception

1:45pm Depart Cavan Courthouse

2:30pm Arrive Slieve Russell Hotel. Check in/Leisure time

3:45pm Rehearsals in Woodford and Erne Suites

5:00pm Evening Meal

7.30pm Cheese and Wine Reception - Woodford and Erne Suite.

8:00pm Grand Final

Evening’s Programme

8:00pm Welcome - President of The Lady of the Erne, Brendan McCann opens the show and introduces the Compere for the evening: Paul Clarke, UTV

8:10 THE FINALISTS - Meet the entrants who successfully reached the Lady of Erne Grand Final

8:30 THE INTERVIEWS - Paul Clarke talks to finalists individually

9:40 ~ Interval ~

10:00 Entertainment - Live Performance by Suaimhneas - Featuring the stunning vocals of Korina Charles, 2006 Lady of the Erne, accompanied by the well renowned Blues singer, Fiona Fitzpatrick

10:15 FINAL INTERVIEWS - The remaining contestants are interviewed by Paul Clarke

10:50 JUDGES DELIBERATION

Entertainment - Cabaret with Mary and Terry O Connor

11:10 ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNER - The Judges decide on who will be the Lady of the Erne 2008

Celebration and the Presentation of Prizes

11:45 Entertainment - Late night Music and Dancing with Gene Bannon and The Almost Jazz Band

Admission by ticket only: €20

Tickets Available from: Widow’s Bar Main St., Belturbet or Festival Phone Tel: 087-9447188

Coach Transfer to Slieve Russell compliments of Fay’s Coaches - Reservation necessary when purchasing tickets.

The New Lady of the Erne 2008 will receive:

• €1500 sponsored by Quinn-Direct Insurance
• €1250 in Fashion sponsored by Michel Ambers in conjunction with Jezann’s Boutique, Cavan
• An all expenses paid week stay in Belturbet during the Festival of the Erne
• A specially commissioned piece of Cavan Crystal, sponsored by Cavan Crystal
• A specially commissioned piece of Belleek Pottery sponsored by Belleek Pottery.

• A weekend for two in the prestigious Woodlands Hotel in Adare

• Designer Sunglasses Sponsored by McQuaids Opticians Belturbet

• Newbridge Necklace presented in Memory of the late Leah Meehan (former organiser along with Hillary of the Lady of the Erne in Donegal)

• Bouquet of flowers sponsored by the Lily Pad Belturbet

• Voucher from “Erne Beauty Salon” Belturbet

Each of the 17 Finalists will receive a specially commissioned piece of Belleek Pottery and of Cavan Crystal.

Duties of the Lady of The Erne:

• Officially opens the Festival of the Erne 2008 on Sunday 29th July in Belturbet. She will head the opening day parade in a luxurious convertible Beetle!

• Our Lady will judge a number of events throughout the Festival week such as the Bonny Baby, Dog Show, Talent Shows, Children’s fancy dress

• Presents sports prizes and winners awards at the Pub Quiz and Fishing Contests

• Attends all Festival Functions

• Announces next year’s festival dates after the massive firework display on Monday August 5th 2008 in Morrissey Park, Belturbet.

• Throughout the year the Lady of the Erne will be invited to open new businesses in the town and to represent the town at official functions.

For information contact:

Lady of the Erne Officers 2008

Name Contact No
Directors: Brendan Fay

Secretary: Nuala Corrigan 049-9522691/ 086-8122110

Committee: Liz Mc Dermott, Maire Hoare, Goretti Mc Donald, Sheila O’Reilly, Michael Mahon

These details are subject to change without notice, so please check this site regularly for updates.