Kate-Leigh is Lady of the Moy
THE traditional pre Salmon Festival warm-up, the annual Lady of the Moy competition, took place in the Great National Hotel, Ballina, on a night of glitz and glamour that saw local lady Kate-Leigh Farrell, representing Penneys, claiming the crown, winning the audience vote as well as the judges’ vote.
The Lady of the Moy will represent Ballina Salmon Festival during festival week as well as acting as a n ambassador for the town throughout the year, including representing Ballina Salmon Festival in the Mayo Rose competition.
Holding the title of Lady of the Moy is regarded as an honour for the winning lady that offers great opportunities for networking, development, as well as many fun, memorable occasions throughout the year.
Sponsored by Allure Hair and Beauty, this year the competition boasted 10 contestants in total, each representing a local business or group. The contest was judged by Michelle Cunningham (local model), Pamela Brownlee, FlyAway Travel, and Kathleen Jordan, beautician and organiser of the Nephin Rose competition.
The wit of MC Ollie Turner of Galway Bay FM returned once again to guide the participants through their stint on stage. Most sang, danced or recited poetry, showing once again the level of talent that exists in Ballina. Each girl also completed an individual interview with the judges.
Winner Kate-Leigh Farrell, who performed a song with her dad Brendan on the night, is a final year arts student in UCD, and aspires to become a teacher, as well as being a passionate ambassador for her home town in the east of the country (she is affectionately known as 'Mayo' among friends because she talks about home so much!).
Kate-Leigh also acts as an ambassador for people who suffer with alopecia, and has been involved in raising awareness of the condition locally in the hope that it will help to support other young people.
Kate-Leigh’s family has a strong history of involvement with the festival and she expressed her delight at being able to take an active role in this year’s celebrations.
Said Kate-Leigh: "I’ll never forget the experience of taking part in this event and the support I received on the night from the people of the town was fantastic. It means so much to me to be involved given the involvement of my family in the past and I am so proud to represent my town over the next year. I’m really excited for the weeks and months ahead."
Event organiser Mary Moyles, manager of The Broken Jug, said: "The Lady of the Moy gives these young women a fantastic opportunity and the confidence they gain from standing up in front of their town is wonderful. They are all so proud to represent their towns and their businesses. In our eyes they are all winners and young women our town can be proud of."
The Lady of the Moy competition was supported by a number of local businesses. Allure Hair and Beauty were the main sponsors, providing the main prize and hair and make-up services, as well as the Broken Jug. The event was also supported by hosts, the Great National Hotel, as well as Winter’s Jewellers, Mayo Crystal, Noo Chocolates, Shaws Department Stores, Blooms ‘n’ Things, Molloy’s Pharmacy, Luana’s Beauty Salon, Foody’s Pharmacy and brand new Ballina boutique Envy, while local hairdressers and make-up artists also sponsored hairstyling and makeup.
* Pictured are Lady of the Moy contestants. At back, from left: Sarah Curley, Chloe Gardiner, Kadie Moyles, Emily Ryder, Nadine Conlon, Kate-Leigh Farrell (winner) and Amy Garvin. At front: Meaghan McNamara, Shona Seck and Alannah Herr. Photo: John O'Grady