Laois woman to compete for Blue Jean Country Queen Title

Laois will be represented by local woman Sheila Keeshan in the Blue Jean Country Queen Festival during the June Bank Holiday weekend. 

The festival is organised by Meath Macra na Feirme in collaboration with the Athboy community and will feature 23 young women competing for the title. The weekend will include two free family fun days, a complimentary BBQ, karaoke, and nighttime entertainment. Contestants hail from Macra regions nationwide, alongside a Queen from Latvia.

Sheila Keeshan and the other twenty-two expected Queens will arrive in Athboy on Friday, May 31. Activities will start with a fun team-building exercise at Causey Farm and that evening there will be a pub crawl through Athboy.

Sheila Keeshan, a member of Portlaoise Macra Club and a Speech & Language Therapist, enjoys a variety of hobbies including trips with Macra, participating in triathlons, open water swimming, and debating. She is multilingual and speaks English, German, Irish, and Lámh (a type of sign language). She also teaches Lámh to autistic children, children with additional needs, parents, and teachers. Additionally, Sheila has worked in Germany as a lifeguard during her college years.

Saturday begins early for Sheila and her fellow Queens with private interviews with the judges. Following this, they'll enjoy Athboy Credit Union's annual Family Fun Day and BBQ before showcasing their vocal talents at Floods Bar during karaoke. Later that evening, Sheila and the other Queens will undergo public interviews at the Darnley Lodge Hotel, afterwards the Queens can let their hair down with music by Rhythm and Sticks, and DJ Conor Woods.

On Sunday morning, Sheila Keeshan and her fellow Queens will lead a procession through Athboy's main street towards the Fair Green for Lark in the Park, a free family fun day featuring children's entertainment, live music, food stalls, and a Toy Tractor Run. The day's highlight is the Barbenheimer-themed fancy dress football match.

In the evening, after a formal banquet at the Darnley Lodge Hotel attended by sponsors and dignitaries, the Queens will don their jeans once more for the eagerly anticipated crowning ceremony, followed by dancing to the tunes of The Druids and DJ Conor Woods.

While the weekend promises ample fun, there's also a prestigious title at stake. The 2024 Blue Jean Country Queen will receive a tiara, golden sash, and perpetual cup presented by the 2023 Queen, Niamh Sheehy. Additionally, the first prize winner will receive €1000 from Athboy Credit Union, with second and third prize winners receiving €500 and €300 respectively from Turmec Recycling and Farrelly Tree Service Ltd.

For tickets and further information about the 2024 Blue Jean Country Queen Festival, visit www.bluejeancountryqueen.com or follow the festival on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.