The Blue Jean Country Queen Festival is returning to Athboy for the June Bank Holiday weekend, from May 29 to June 1.

Organised by Meath Macra na Feirme in collaboration with the community of Athboy, the centrepiece of the festival – the competition to crown the Blue Jean Country Queen – will see 22 young women descend upon the town.

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, France, as well as a contestant from the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster, representing Northern Ireland.

Blue Jean Country Queen Festival

The festival kicks off on Friday, May 29, with the official opening at the Darnley Lodge Hotel, followed by the Nana Moon’s Pub Crawl and a music session back at the hotel.

On Saturday, May 30, the Larry Kelly Plumbing and Heating Street Market will take place on Athboy’s main street, alongside Le Chéile Credit Union’s annual barbecue and fun day from 2:00p.m., and karaoke in Flood’s Bar from 3:00p.m..

That evening in St. James’ Hall, the 2025 queens will be interviewed on stage by RTÉ Radio’s Maura Fay.

On Sunday, the queens will march in fancy dress to Athboy’s Fair Green for a game of fancy dress football at 12:30p.m., kicking off the Fone Geek Sunday Lark in the Park.

The afternoon will feature 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 a competition to win a battery-operated John Deere Gator.

Gala banquet

On Sunday evening, the queens, committee, sponsors, and dignitaries will 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, a sash, and a tiara.

Second prize of €500 is sponsored by Farrelly Tree Care Services, and third prize of €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 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 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, she said winning the competition was "the most incredible and unexpected experience of my life".

Speaking at the festival launch in Athboy, festival chair Rachel Duffy, a member of Wilkinstown Macra said: "The people of Athboy really love this festival.

"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," Duffy said.

Further information on the 2026 Blue Jean Country Queen Festival will be announced in the coming weeks.