Back in 1987 Macra experienced its very first Blue Jean Country Queen Festival. The idea came from Carnaross's Patrick Farrelly, in what has become a bit of a folklore legend, as he was out driving his tractor and heard the song "I'm a Blue Jean Country Queen" on the Radio.

One of the factors which Patrick attributes to the success of the festival is its location. The businesses and general community in Athboy - after some initial convincing - have worked down the years with the committee to ensure its continued success.

So from the great leap into the unknown in the late eighties, the festival has seen many changes.
The Festival's first chairman was Oliver Gilsenan. Oliver, who is still a member of the Committee, always likes to throw his eye over the entrants and keep up his 'hands on' approach to the festival.

Venue

One of the major developments in recent years has been the opening of a new hotel, The Old Darnley Lodge Hotel, on the site of the old Kirwan Arms Hotel in Athboy, in 1995. It brought to an end the era of travelling to Navan for the Sunday night Festival Banquet. Those were the days when “Buses” seemed to occupy an excessive amount of time on the agenda. The committee never seemed to get it right. Buses got lost, buses were late, double deckers lurched from side to side on the bog road between Athboy and Navan and on one occasion the Chairman and Secretary were left standing on the footpath in Athboy!

There is no doubt that the facilities of The Old Darnley Lodge Hotel has added greatly to the festival in recent years. As has the successful partnership which the committee enjoys in working with the management and staff.

About the festival

Many of the features to the first festival such as the Fancy Dress Football, Music in the Park and Modelling on Sunday afternoon are just as popular today. Many new ideas have been introduced. In 1991, the first Saturday afternoon Street Carnival was held, replacing the original Field Day and less than successful Street Parades. Saturdays now bring free entertainment onto the Street with Marching Bands, Puppet Shows, Dancing, Side Shows, Face Painting, Children's Art and a host of weird and wacky characters, all part of the colour and excitement.

Moving to the June Bank Holiday Weekend also means that the Festival has now extended to take in a popular afternoon music session on the Monday.

Our Queens - Previous winners

Our first winner in 1987 was Samantha Baldwin representing Co.Wicklow. Her ambition at the time of winning was to become a lorry driver and she subsequently moved back to England, got her licence and worked as a HGV Class 1 Driver. Our first and only Meath winner was back in 1989 when Wilkinstown's Martina Mongey took the title. Brid O'Reilly was the first overseas winner, representing New York in 1995.

The following are the Blue Jean Queens to date: