Holly Baird reflects on a joyful year as Lady of the Lake

The outgoing Lady of the Lake has spoken about the joy she has experienced in the past year in the role.

19-year-old Holly Baird was named the Lady of the Lake last year as part of the 2023 Lady of the Lake Festival.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter as she prepares to hand over the famous cape to the next Lady, she said: "The Lady of the Lake Festival was such a wholesome, amazing experience filled with so much good craic.

"I got the opportunity to meet so many people and it opened so many doors for new opportunities.

"Throughout the festival, we attended nearly every event, and I can’t believe how quickly it flew in."

She had a particular word of thanks to the Lady of  the Lake committee who she described as "like family".

She said: "The committee are like family to me now! I cannot thank them enough for how special they made my time of being the Lady of the Lake for 2023."

When asked for a highlight of the event, she said: "It is quite difficult to pick a highlight of being Lady of the Lake as I have endless memories, from the very first night to the very last.

"I would say, surprising all my family and friends on the first night would be a special highlight from my time."

Holly, who is studying construction engineering and working for Lowry Engineering as an apprentice, recalled her family's pride when she was unveiled as Lady of the Lake - something that she kept secret from them until the unveiling.

"My family were beyond excited and proud! The year has gone in so quickly and it’s hard to believe I’ll be handing over the cloak to the new Lady of the Lake very soon."

Sharing her special memories of the festival in previous years, she said: "From a young age, my mummy and my aunties would organise a float for myself and my cousins to dress up for the fancy dress night.

"Every year, it was so exciting to get into our costumes and be a part of the float together."

Wishing her successor well for the future, she said: "I hope the festival this year is as much of a success as last year, and I hope that the new Lady of the Lake has the most amazing time."

Echoing the sentiments of everyone in Irvinestown, she added: "The weather being nice would be a bonus also!"