Rualie Bualie and Smash Hits are the headlining acts of the Blue Jean Country Queen Festival that will return during the 2023 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 four-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 €1,000 sponsored by Athboy Credit Union, a perpetual trophy and a golden sash.
Blue Jean Country Queen Festival
The event will kick off on Friday, June 2nd, with a trad 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 Flood’s 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 on June 4th – 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 tribute to the 90s – the golden era of dance, pop and R‘n’B.
