Two beauty queens graduated on Tuesday from Queen's University with Bachelor of Arts in Single Drama.

Tyrone student Cliodhna McCallan, (23), was a finalist in a regional heat of the Rose of Tralee and West Belfast student Sarah Costello (22) is the Antrim Maiden in this year's Maiden of the Mournes competition.

Cliodhna, a Tyrone entrant in the Rose of Tralee regional finals heat is also graduated from Queen's. Recalling the regional heat, Cliodhna said, "I had a great time. The visit to Tralee three weeks ago was a real taster and I made friendships with the Fermanagh and Derry Roses."

Cliodhna has also set her sights on a promising drama career.

She added, "I wrote a play this year called Till I See You Again which sold out over three nights at the QFT in February. It was based around a love story where an older woman is reflecting on her life in 1950's Ireland and relating the story to her grandchildren.

"I am now tutoring drama and dance in and around Omagh and visit schools and youth clubs teaching drama."

Sarah is about to embark on a new career as she has been contracted to join a new dance show, entitled The Rhythms of Ireland. Kicking off in August, Sarah will tour Australia before a tour of Japan starts in the New Year.

For Sarah, who started dancing 17 years ago when she was five, this is an opportunity of a lifetime. She says, "I feel much more confident now after taking my course at Queen's University. We were given the option in second and third year to take practical modules along with the theory. While in acting school it can easily be 9 to 5 acting, we also got to examine the history of theatre. We had an excellent balance to the course at Queen's.

Before setting off to Australia however, Sarah will be taking part in the Warrenpoint-based Maiden of the Mournes festival. Running from the 5-12 August, 20 girls will compete over the week.