Ballyconnells paula is crowned lady of the erne
The 25th Lady of the Erne contest was staged in the Hotel Kilmore on last Sunday night and a Ballyconnell Primary School teacher was crowned the winner.
Paula McPartland (21) from Slieve Bricken, Ballyconnell was thrilled to become the 25th winner of the contest and relished participating in the event and making new friends.
First to rush on-stage to congratulate Paula were her parents Dallan and Catriona McPartand and her sister Elaine. Her brother Owen could not make the event, but Paula explained laughingly, “He had to milk the cows”.
Paula told the Celt that she could not believe it, when chairman of the judging panel, Seamus Moran announced her as the winner. “It has been such an incredible experience – I was so lucky to get it!”
Paula qualified as a primary school teacher from St Patrick’s College Drumcrondra in 2014 and spent the past year teaching in Ballyfermot in Dublin.
“I’ve had an amazing year teaching there; teaching is even more than I expected – I have loved every single minute of it. The children were absolutely hilarious – I have to say I got such a laugh from them – it would do your heart good,” enthused Paula.
She just loves going into class each day and says she is fortunate to be back in Ballyfermot next year.
Inner city
Paula also related how she was involved in a 'Raise and Give Foundation’ connecting with the community in inner city Dublin.
“I was events manager and we set up a project called 'Dancing Around Drumcondra’ were we took in a lot of the children from Drumcondra, and Dorset Street and we taught them dancing at lessons for eight weeks,” said Paula McPartland.
Her Uncle Hugh Farrell, President of the Diocesan PTAA was also on hand to offer his congratulations and told The Anglo-Celt that Paula is a member of the Kildallan PTAA.
The Judges were Seamus Moran, formerly Fair City; Kate Nee, Absolute Jewellery; Sean McCaffrey, Quinn Building Products; Helen McCartin, Purple Orange Boutique and Rachel Drumm, the very first winner of the Lady of the Erne, back in 1991.
Compere Dr Paul Clark from UTV told The Anglo-Celt that the gala event was a credit to the Director Mark Leonard and all the committee for sustaining the contest.
Future of the contest
When asked what does the future hold for the contest in view of trials and tribulations, Mark Leonard said, “It has been tough for small communities striving to keep events like this alive.”
In a direct appeal to the Belturbet people, Mark Leonard said “The community of Belturbet founded this event, it is a wonderful event, Belturbet should strive with all their might to keep it alive.”
He added that he has been the Director for a number of years. “I don’t know who the Director will be next year, but I would encourage everyone to hold onto this contest.”
Sponsors this year included Quinn Building Products who presented Paula with a Cheque for €1,000, The Hotel Kilmore, Kate Nee, Absolute Jewellery Design; Helen McCartin, Purple Orange Boutique; Cara Pharmacy, Belturbet Skippers and Crews, Bouquets2Banquets, Cavan County Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Martin and Aileen Denneny, Robert Ryan, Eileen Morgan, Nicole Gratadoux, Marie Hoare, Fays Coaches, Erne Side Town Houses and Belturbet Festival Committee.