Rualie Bualie and Smash Hits are the headlining acts of the Blue Jean Country Queen Festival that will return this June Bank Holiday Weekend to the streets of Athboy, Co. Meath. The festival, organised by Meath Macra na Feirme, makes its long-awaited return to the town of Athboy and the Darnley Lodge Hotel after a 4 year enforced hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The centrepiece of the festival – the competition to crown the Blue Jean Country Queen will see 23 young women from Ireland and abroad descend upon Athboy for a chaotic and fun-filled weekend. Although only one winner will walk away with €1000 sponsored by Athboy Credit Union, a perpetual trophy and a golden sash – the organisers place far more emphasis on having a good time than winning the competition. The whole weekend is, as the organisers like to say “sound girls doing mad things” and bringing people together as a community. 

Kicking off on Friday 2nd June with a Music Session in Fagan’s Pub. The festival swings into gear Saturday with the return of main sponsor Athboy Credit Union’s annual BBQ and Fun Day from 2 pm with the annual karaoke competition in Floods Bar making its triumphant return at 4 pm. That evening in The Darnley Lodge Hotel at 7.30 pm the Queens will be put to the test in their on-stage interviews followed by music from midlands-based trad-twist group Rualie Bauilie who will take to the stage at 10 pm to perform upbeat old Irish favourites, ground-thumping trad, and unique twists on recent-day classics. 

On Sunday, the Queens will march in fancy dress to Athboy’s Fair Green for FUNday the 4th of June -a family fun day that will be kicked off by the Queens playing a game of Eurovision-themed fancy dress football at 12.30 pm. The afternoon will feature live music from The Sandmen and Crawdaddy Mango, a petting zoo, Julie Rose Puppet Theatre and the World’s Largest Mini Tractor Run sponsored by Meath Farm Machinery Ltd – and much more.

Sunday evening following the Gala Banquet in the Darnley Lodge Hotel the 2023 Blue Jean Country Queen will be crowned. The 2023 Queen will receive the perpetual cup and tiara as well as €1000 from Athboy Credit Union. The second prize winner receives €500 from Turmec Recycling Solutions while the Third Prize will be awarded €300 courtesy of M&G Groundworks. The new Queen, her supporters, the committee and fellow contestants will then party the night away with Dublin-based six-piece Smash Hits who will be performing their unique, entertaining tribute to the 90s – the golden era of dance, pop and R‘n’B. 

Speaking at the festival launch current Blue Jean Country Queen and Festival Chair Aoife Scanlon thanked the festival’s sponsors and the community of Athboy for all their support. She also reflected on her extended time as Blue Jean Country Queen. She documented her years as Queen on Instagram under the username A Year In the Sash. She also raised €2200 for the Irish Cancer Society with a fundraising walkathon “Macra Walks Around The World”. “The experience has been truly amazing and to chair the committee that brings the festival back has been a real honour for me.” When asked if she had any message for the 2023 contestants she replied: “Just be yourself and live every single minute of it.”

All Photography by David Gilroy.