Riot of farm fun in Athboy for Blue Jean festival

The Blue Jean Country Queen is returning to Athboy and bringing with it some top notch musical guests. The Rurals and The Blarneys will be providing live music and Maura Fay, who some may recognise from the 2 Johnnies Podcast, will be the MC for the night.

Organised by Meath Macra na Feirme in collaboration with the community of Athboy, the Blue Jean Country Queen Festival takes place over the June bank holiday weekend, 29 May to 1 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 22 young women descend on Athboy for a chaotic and fun-filled time.

The majority of contestants are selected from Macra na Feirme counties and regions across Ireland.

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

The queens will be welcomed into the heart of the community, staying with local families, taking part in a karaoke competition, playing fancy dress football, and much more.

But 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 29 May, with the official opening at the Darnley Lodge Hotel, followed by the Nana Moon’s Pub Crawl and a music session at the hotel.

On Saturday 30 May, the Larry Kelly Plumbing and Heating Street Market will take place on the main street, alongside Le Chéile Credit Union’s annual barbecue and fun day from 2pm, and karaoke in Floods Bar from 3pm.

That evening in St James’s Hall, the 2025 queens will be interviewed on stage by RTÉ Radio’s Maura Fay, followed by a performance from midlands duo The Rurals and then DJ Smiley K at the Darnley Lodge Hotel.

On Sunday, the queens will march in fancy dress to the Fair Green for a game of fancy dress football at 12.30pm, 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 will gather at the Darnley 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, a sash, and a tiara. Second prize (€500) is sponsored by Farrelly Tree Care Services, and third prize (€300) by Meath Farm Machinery Ltd. Celebrations conclude with a performance by The Blarneys, followed by DJ Smiley K.

The judging panel for the 2026 competition includes 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 Wexford, 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, Amy said the entire experience was unforgettable: “Winning the Blue Jean Country Queen 2025 has been the most incredible and unexpected experience. I was completely shocked when my name was called, and seeing my granny’s reaction on FaceTime is a moment I’ll treasure forever.”

Over the years, Amy attended a number of events, 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 more than €2,000 for mental health initiatives Make the Moove and Jigsaw.

Her advice to the 2026 contestants is simple: “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.”

At the festival launch in Athboy, festival chair Rachel Duffy, a member of Wilkinstown Macra, thanked the community for 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 the businesses of Athboy. Finally, the committee extended their thanks to David and Hazel Sheridan of the Darnley Lodge Hotel and all local businesses in Athboy, “As a volunteer-led festival, their support is vital.”

Further information on the 2026 Blue Jean Country Queen Festival will be announced in the coming weeks. For more, visit bluejeancountryqueen.com or follow @BlueJeanFest on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.