Mary McCarthy Seeking To Claim Blue Jean Crown in Royal County

Mary McCarthy is South Tipperary's representative in the 2023 Blue Jean Country Queen Festival organized by Meath Macra na Feirme

The 23 young women will be contesting the event in Athboy, Co. Meath for this coming June Bank Holiday.  Meath Macra na Feirme and the community of Athboy have planned a huge array of events to entertainment for the entire weekend, including family fun days, karaoke and a weekend full of nighttime entertainment  Entries this year come from Macra clubs all over the country as well Queens from Canada and Northern Ireland.

Mary McCarthy and the other twenty-two expected Queens will arrive in Athboy on Friday 2 June and kick off the long weekend with a team-building exercise in Causey Farm. The festival will officially get underway at 9pm with its official opening followed by a Trad Session in Fagan’s Pub.

On Saturday and her fellow Queens will take in the Athboy Credit Union Family Fun Day and BBQ, sing Karaoke in Flood’s Bar - all before stepping out on stage for their public interviews that evening in the Darnley Lodge Hotel. While on Sunday the Queens will change from fancy dress to formal dress all within twelve hours.

Saturday 3rd June will see a live performance from trad-twist artists Rualie Bualie in the Darnley Lodge Hotel. The group, formed in 2011, features Niall Kelly (Vocals and Guitar), Jack Godley (Percussion) and Shane Lynam (Vocals and Bass), Cathal Guinan (Fiddle) and Seán Bourke (banjo). The group has travelled all around the world performing upbeat old Irish favourites, ground-thumping trad, and unique twists on recent-day classics.

While on Sunday, Dublin-based six-piece Smash HIts will round off the weekend by performing their unique, entertaining tribute to the 90s – the golden era of dance, pop and R‘n’B.

Mary McCarthy herself is a 23-year-old member of GoldenVale Macra na Feirme. A Primary Teacher, in her spare time she likes to sing karaoke and go travelling. She tried to teach herself the ukulele but it did not end well.

The weekend is mostly about having a bit of craic but Mary and the other contestants will be competing for the Blue Jean Country Queen crown. First place receives prizes to the value of €1,000, from main sponsor Athboy Credit Union, and the title of Blue Jean Country Queen 2023. The runner-up will receive €500 from Turmec Recycling Solutions. While third prize winner will receive €300 from M&G Groundworks

The winner of the 2023 Blue Jean Country Queen title will be announced on Sunday 4th June and will be crowned by reigning Queen, Aoife Scanlon from Meath.

For more information on the 2023 Blue Jean Country Queen Festival, including tickets, accommodation and more go to bluejeancountryqueen.com.