Kilkenny's Niamh Sheehy aims to be Blue Jean Queen at Macra event

Niamh Sheehy is Kilkenny'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, 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.

Niamh is a 24-year-old member of Kilkenny City Macra na Feirme. A pharmacy assistant, part-time singer and farmer, in her spare time she plays sports and loves working with animals. She plays national league basketball with Marble City Hawks in Kilkenny. She is also the goalkeeper for Kilkenny County LGFA and a classically trained opera singer.

The weekend is mostly about having a bit of craic but Niamh 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. Third prize winner will receive €300 from M&G Groundworks.

Niamh and the other 22 expected Queens will arrive in Athboy on June 2 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, Niamh 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, June 3 will see a live performance from trad-twist artists Rualie Bualie in the Darnley Lodge Hotel. The group has travelled all around the world performing upbeat old Irish favourites, ground-thumping trad, and unique twists on recent-day classics.

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.

The winner of the 2023 Blue Jean Country Queen title will be announced on Sunday, June 4 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.