Blue Jean crown travels to Cork

Cork queen Patrice Dineen O'Leary, a 22-year-old student from Seandun, was crowned the 2011 Blue Jean Country Queen in Athboy, at the end of a very successful festival weekend. Patrice, a member of Glanmire Macra na Feirme, beat off competition from 28 girls from all over Ireland and overseas to take the title at the festival where she received €1,500 worth of prizes, sponsored by Farrelly Brothers, Agricultural Contractors. She was crowned on Sunday night during the June Bank Holiday festival, much to the delight of the many Cork supporters attending. She takes over the title from Athboy's Celine Smyth who won the title in 2010. Runner-up was fellow Cork girl from the Muskerry region, Emer O'Shea, and in third place was Laois's Caryn Russell. Celebrating its 24th festival, members of Meath Macra na Feirme, who organise of the event, were delighted with all aspects of the event. Despite the rain, which didn't dampen the fun, huge crowds and the massive array of events organised over the weekend which were just the recipe to turn this year's festival into one of the largest and most successful to date. It kicked off Friday night when local 'celebrity' Joe Healy had the task of interviewing the queens on stage in front an enthusiastic audience and put all the girls at ease. The fun and craic flowed steadily up until Monday afternoon when live music was still pumping out throughout Athboy. National president of Macra na Feirme, Alan Jagoe, had great praise for the organisers who ensured there was something for all the family over the weekend. Now regarded as one of the top annual festivals in the north-east, the Blue Jean committee is looking forward to an even bigger and better one to mark the 25th anniversary in 2012.