Contestants vie for the title of Cailín Gaelach in County Donegal and Charleville Cheese Queen in County Cork.
The Gaeltacht Festival weekend in Gleann Cholm Cille, County Donegal hosts the finals of the Cailín Gaelach competition. The winner of this competition is judged to have done most through the year to promote the Irish language, culture and social life in her own area. The 14 contestants have been selected from the Gaeltacht areas of Counties Meath, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork and Donegal.
The Cailín Gaelach winner, 25 year old Mairead Ní Bhaoill is crowned at a function held in the Glenbay Hotel at Malinmore. Runner up is Fionnuala Ní Aogain from Gaoth Dobhair in County Donegal. In third place is Gearóidín Ní Neachtain from An Spidéal, County Galway.
Mairead Ní Bhaoill wins a cash prize of £100 plus £100 worth of Irish clothing and a ticket to the Rose of Tralee Festival in Kerry.
At the Charleville Cheese Festival in County Cork 15 women are in the running to became the ninth Charleville Cheese Queen. Crowds line the street to watch the contestants pass by on a float. The winner is chosen by a panel of judges and announced by Gay Byrne. The 1978 Cheese Queen title goes to 20 year old Anita Canty from County Cork. She receives a Golden Vale sponsored £100 prize and B&I travel vouchers to the value of £100.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 7 June 1978. The footage shown here is mute.
