This year’s Fermanagh County Show Queen is 23-year-old nurse, Kay Johnston from Derryhowlaght, Bellanaleck.

Kay was announced winner of this year’s Show Queen competition at the launch of Fermanagh County Show held at the Ardhowen Theatre, recently.

This year, Fermanagh Farming Society organised a new competition format to select their Show Queen.

Entrants were judged by Mary McCartney and Brian Donaldson who shortlisted the final three at an afternoon tea event in the Killyhevlin Hotel in April.

The final three, Kay Johnston, Hannah Vance and Stephanie Bothwell were invited to the recent Show launch. Kay was announced as this year’s Show Queen. 

The competition was sponsored by Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel, Flowers by Ruth Hood, Hair by Passion Studio and Colours by Elle.

Kay, who attended Florencecourt Primary School, Devenish College and began her nursing training at South West College and the University of Ulster, is now a staff nurse at South West Acute Hospital.

Away from her busy job caring for her patients, Kay helps out on the family’s dairy and beef farm.

She’s familiar with the Fermanagh County Show, having provided First Aid with St. John Ambulance.

She also volunteers caring for individuals with dementia and providing respite for their carers. She would like to become a dementia nurse specialist.

At the launch of this year’s 181st Show on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 1 and 2, a number of new sponsors were announced and two additional pedigree beef breeds will be judged; Beef Shorthorns and Limousins.

There will be a new Champions’ Parade.

This year, there is a new online ticket service sponsored by Turning Point Property Sales and pre-show tickets will be available at £8 from local outlets.