Macra na Feirme will be officially represented at this year’s Dublin Pride festival and parade. This is the first time the rural youth organisation will be officially involved at Pride and the organisation will be represented by several members.

Macra na Feirme national president Thomas Duffy said: “Macra na Feirme is a voice for the youth of Ireland and I am delighted the organisation will partake in the Dublin Pride festival. Social inclusion is the fulcrum of Macra na Feirme values and there isn’t a better place to demonstrate this than at Pride which is a celebration of LGBTQ+ people, and families and their friends. It’s to highlight the progressive work being done and to acknowledge that a lot more work remains. With this in mind I would encourage our members to get involved and sign up now to take part on 29 June.”

Macra na Feirme is now accepting applications from members who would like to take part representing the organisation at the festival. If you wish to be considered, please visit www.macra.ie/shop and fill out the online form. Please be aware that places are limited so don’t delay in submitting your application.

Meath Blue Jean Queen

Aoife Scanlon from Meath was crowned the 2019 Blue Jean Country Queen on Sunday 2 June in Athboy, Co Meath. It is the first time in nine years that the title has been won by a Queen from the Royal County and only the third time Meath has produced the winner in 32 years.

Aoife is a 25-year-old marketing executive and member of Enfield Macra na Feirme. She was awarded the top prize of €1,000 from Athboy Credit Union. Last year’s winner, Alison O’Connor from Kerry, returned to Athboy to hand over the crown at a ceremony which took place following the 2019 Gala Banquet on Sunday evening.

It was a clean sweep for Leinster, with runners-up up from Carlow and Kilkenny. Eimear Byrne from Carlow received second prize of €500 from M&G Groundworks. Third went to Amy Rose Holden from Kilkenny, who received €250 from Hi Spec Construction.

Aoife thanked both the organising committee and her fellow queens, adding: “The experience of being a queen was amazing,” and advising any future contestants to “live every minute of it”. She also expressed her wish to be a positive representative for both the Blue Jean Country Queen Festival and Macra na Feirme over the next 12 months.