2nd – 9th August 2009
The ‘Maiden of the Mournes’ Contest is a personality competition for single young ladies between the ages of 18 and 25 from any nationality. Competitors are expected to make their own way to Warrenpoint. Whilst there all meals and accommodation will be provided free for the week.
The competitors will be asked to take part in a variety of PR activities which may include visiting local shops, shopping centres and the local Council Offices. They may also visit the City Hall in Belfast where they will meet the Lord Mayor and possibly be interviewed on TV. They will be taken on a tour of the Mourne Mountains and visit a typical cottage dating back to the last century where they will sample Irish food and music and be asked to join in the entertainment. Each competitor will be interviewed individually by a panel of independent judges and be interviewed on stage by a TV personality. Here they will be expected to perform a party piece - singing, dancing, reciting etc.
The winning maiden will receive a cheque for £500 on the final night and another cheque for £500 when she returns the following year to hand over her crown. She will also be expected to carry out PR duties during her reign. This may be in Ireland or in her own country.
Maidens chosen to represent their area should be outgoing, easy to get along with and comfortable with performing in public.
Further details at www.maidenofthemournes.com
Rules and Regulations:
The contest is confined to single young ladies, of any nationality, between the ages of 18 and 25 years on January 1st '09.
Each finalist shall be selected with the consent of the Festival Committee.
Each finalist shall forward to the Maidens' Secretary a signed contract and two 6 inch x 4 inch (15 cm x 10 cm) high quality, coloured, head and shoulders photographs (taken against a plain background) for inclusion in the local and regional newspapers and in the Festival Magazine not later than the 31st May, '09.
Each finalist shall arrive in Warrenpoint not later than Sunday, 2nd August and shall remain in Warrenpoint until Sunday 9th August ‘09
Each finalist shall abide by the wishes of the Festival Committee while in Warrenpoint for the Contest. In particular finalists shall:
(a) Observe strictly the times of all appointments made by the Festival Committee.
(b) Not engage in any activity likely to bring disrepute to the Contest or to the Festival Committee; in particular maidens shall not use mobile phones nor smoke while in public.
(c) Not pose for photographs or give interviews without the permission of the Festival Committee.
(d) Not inconvenience the Committee by bringing boyfriends, friends or relatives with them while on official Committee business.
(e) Each finalist shall take with them an evening dress in which to appear on stage during the selection and crowning. A second evening dress may be taken for use at the Festival Banquet.
(f) The winning Maiden shall not appear in public as 'Maiden of the Mournes' without the prior consent of the Festival Committee.
(g) The winning Maiden shall make herself available for the 2010 Festival week and also for promotional activities during her year in office, if required e.g. the switching on of the Christmas lights in Warrenpoint and leading the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Newry.
Any breach of the above rules may result in the finalist being disqualified from the contest. The decision to disqualify shall be at the discretion of the Festival Committee.
Furthermore, the Festival Committee shall not be held responsible for any injury, damage or loss caused to any finalist's person or property while in Warrenpoint. Contestants are therefore advised to take out adequate travel insurance.