A LIMERICK woman set to battle it out to win a competition that’s been described by previous entrants as “the Rose of Tralee for country people”.
Mary O’Reilly will represent Limerick at the 2025 Blue Jean Country Queen Festival, which takes place in Athboy, County Meath, from May 30 to June 2.
The 26-year-old Limerick woman, who is a quality control coordinator and member of Limerick City Macra when not bidding for the Blue Jean tiara, says she balances her professional life with a love for adventure.
Her hobbies include tag rugby, hiking, gardening, road trips, and stepping in as a stand-in farmer.
She also claims her driving improves “with a sing-along” and, as a self-proclaimed Swiftie, can often be found blaring Taylor Swift out the window.
21 contestants, including a would-be Blue Jean Queen from New Zealand, will arrive in Athboy on Friday May 30 for a weekend of free family fun, BBQs, karaoke, and entertainment.
The festival is organised by Meath Macra na Feirme and the Athboy Community, and sponsored by Le Chéile Credit Union.
Mary and her fellow contestants will begin their journey with team-building exercises at Causey Farm, followed by meeting their host families. The festival officially launches that evening with a pub crawl through Athboy.
The winner will be announced on Sunday June 1 during a gala banquet at Athboy Convent Community Centre.
The winning queen will receive a tiara, golden sash, and perpetual cup from 2024 Queen Alannah Finnegan of Cavan, plus €1,000 from Le Chéile Credit Union.
