It's Blue Jean Festival Weekend in Athboy

22 Queens vye for Macra title

The Blue Jean Country Queen Festival returns to Athboy this June Bank Holiday Weekend with live music from The Rurals and The Blarneys, with Maura Fay (formerly of the 2 Johnnies Podcast) as MC.

The festival, organised by Meath Macra na Feirme in collaboration with the community of Athboy, will take place over the June Bank Holiday from 29th May to 1st June. The weekend will feature live music, family-friendly entertainment, and the coronation of the 2026 Blue Jean Country Queen.

The centrepiece of the festival – the competition to crown the Blue Jean Country Queen – will see a total of 22 young women descend upon Athboy for a chaotic and fun-filled weekend. The majority of the contestants are selected from Macra na Feirme counties and regions all over Ireland.

This year, the festival will also see a contestant representing France as part of Athboy's longstanding twinning agreement with Autonne-Villages in Picardy, France, and a contestant from the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster, representing Northern Ireland.

The Queens will be welcomed into the heart of the local community, stay with local families, take part in a karaoke competition, play fancy dress football, and much more. However, only one winner will walk away with €1,000 sponsored by Le Chéile Credit Union, a perpetual trophy, and a golden sash.

The festival kicks off on Friday, 29th May, with the official opening in the Darnley Lodge Hotel, followed by The Nana Moons' Pub Crawl and a music session in The Darnley Lodge Hotel. Saturday 30th May will be the Larry Kelly Plumbing and Heating Street Entertainment on Athboy's main street alongside Le Chéile Credit Union's annual BBQ and Fun Day from 2pm and karaoke in Floods Bar from 3pm.

That evening in St James' Hall, the 2026 Queens will be interviewed on stage by RTE Radio's Maura Fay, followed by music from Midlands duo The Rurals, followed by DJ Smiley K in the Darnley Lodge Hotel.

On Sunday, the Queens march in fancy dress to Athboy's Fair Green for a game of fancy dress football at 12.30 pm, kicking off the Fone Geek Sunday Lark in the Park.

The afternoon includes live music from The Sandmen, children's entertainment, food stalls, a pet farm, and the Meath Farm Machinery Ltd-sponsored Mini-Tractor Run. Children can enter to win a battery-operated John Deere Gator.

That evening, the Queens, committee, sponsors, and dignitaries gather at the Darnley Lodge Hotel for The JMCK Building Solutions Gala Banquet. At midnight, the 2026 Blue Jean Country Queen will be announced.

The winner receives €1,000 from Le Chéile Credit Union, a perpetual cup, sash, and a tiara. The second prize (€500) is sponsored by Farrelly Tree Care, and the third prize (€300) by Meath Farm Machinery. Celebrations conclude with a performance by The Blarneys, followed by DJ Smiley K.

Judges for the 2026 Queen will include Thomas Duffy (Macra na Feirme National President, 2019-21), Eva Bannon (Meath Rose of Tralee 2025), and Aine Mullen, a former Meath Blue Jean Country Queen from Rathcairn.

Reflecting on her year as Queen, 2025 Blue Jean Country Queen Amy Coffey, a secondary school teacher from Waterford, said: "It's hard to express in just a few words what it meant to me being crowned the 2025 Blue Jean Country Queen. The Blue Jean Country Queen has truly given me friends and memories for life that I'm so exceptionally grateful for."

When asked about the highlights of her year as Queen, Amy said the entire experience was unforgettable: "Winning the Blue Jean Country Queen 2025 has been the most incredible and unexpected experience of my life. I was completely shocked when my name was called and seeing my granny's reaction on FaceTime is a moment I'll treasure forever."

She praised the committee, people of Athboy, sponsors, judges and her fellow contestants from 2025 who combined to make the whole festival feel special. Amy also spoke about how she has developed a strong bond with her host family, the Healys. "My host family have truly become like family to me, and I'll always be so grateful for them."

Over the year, Amy attended several events ranging from judging a bonnie baby competition at the Arva Show to marching in the Athboy St Patrick's Day Parade. She also recently completed a skydive that raised over €2,000 for mental health initiatives Make the Moove and Jigsaw.

Her advice to the 2026 contestants is to enjoy every second. "It flies by. Get involved, get to know everyone, and soak up Athboy and the amazing people there. Most importantly, be yourself and stay true to who you are."

Speaking at the festival launch in Athboy, current Blue Jean Country Festival Chair Rachel Duffy, a member of Wilkinstown Macra, thanked the community of Athboy for all their continued support. "The people of Athboy really love this festival, and we are delighted to be able to work so closely with our Athboy Community Committee, who bring a passion, expertise and experience which helps set the Blue Jean Country Queen Festival apart from any other festival of its kind in Macra or otherwise."

She also thanked the prize sponsors and businesses of Athboy. "The committee would like to thank Le Chéile Credit Union. Finally, the committee would like to thank David and Hazel Sheridan of Darnley Lodge Hotel, and all local businesses of Athboy – as a volunteer-led festival, their support is vital."