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Mary from Dungloe (festival)

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A typical scene at the Mary From Dungloe Festival, 2005.

The Mary From Dungloe International Festival is a popular Irish music festival held annually, usually at the end of July in the small town of Dungloe, County Donegal. The festival is centred on a pageant to find out which contestant has the spirit of the festival, who is then crowned "Mary From Dungloe". The winner of the contest holds this title for a year and acts as an ambassador for the festival. Irish emigrant communities from around the world, as well as some Irish counties and towns, participate by nominating a young woman, endearingly titled a "Mary", to represent their community at the contest. The festival has grown in popularity over the years and now regularly attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the area. The festival is inspired by the song "Mary from Dungloe" as the Rose of Tralee festival is by "The Rose of Tralee". In 2019, the festival celebrated its 52nd anniversary, with Roisin Maher from New York becoming Mary From Dungloe 2019.

Participating communities

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Many communities around the world with links to County Donegal have their own local contests to pick their community's "Mary" who subsequently is nominated to travel to Dungloe to compete in the Mary From Dungloe contest. Irish communities who have entered contestants include:

Traditional festival events

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There are a number of traditional events which are run every year as part of the festival. Here are just a few examples:

Event Traditional Location
Opening Ceremony Main St.
Introduction of MFD Contestants Main St.
Country Sunday Main St.
Lá Gaelach Main St.
Open Air Music Main St.
Art Exhibition Sharkey's Service Station / Ionad Teampaill Chróine
McGurk's Fun Fair The Cope Car Park, Quay Road
Childrens Sports Day CLG An Clochán Liath/Dungloe GAA Grounds
Men's Golf Open Cruit Island Golf Club
Ladies Golf Open Cruit Island Golf Club
Treasure Hunt Main St. starting point
Annual 5K Road Race Main St. & surrounds
Fly Fishing Competition Dungloe Marina
Little Miss Mary Competition Parochial Hall/ CDP na Rosann
Table Quiz Maghery Community Centre/ Midway Bar & Restaurant
Junior Table Quiz Ionad Teampall Cróine
Social Evening with the Marys Various
Historic Tour of the Rosses Departs Main St.
Walk the Rosses Dungloe area, Leitir/Lettermacaward, Maghery, Rann na Feirste, Loch an Iúir, Burtonport
Interviewing of the MFD Contestants Carrickfinn Airport / Rosses Community School
Bonny Baby Show Parochial Hall
Daniel O'Donnell in Concert Festival Dome
Carnival Parade Main St.
Band Competition Main St.
MFD Contest Final Festival Dome / Ionad Spóirt na Rosann
Gala Ball Waterfront Hotel
Closing Ceremony Main St.

2024 Contestants

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The 2024 'Marys' for the festival were as follows:

The Donegal Mary, Clare O’Donnell, was crowned the 2024 Mary from Dungloe at the crowning cabaret on 4 August.[12]

Contest winners

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Below is a complete list of contest winners from 1968 to 2023.

Year Winner Represented Originally From Age
1968 Celine Powell[13][14] Dublin Galway
1969 Marie McGlinchey[15] Donegal
1970 Monina Hughes Armagh
1971 Gloria O'Boyle Donegal Bunbeg, Gweedore
1972 Carole Mary Carr[15] Limerick
1973 Nora Boyle[15] Donegal Burndennet, County Tyrone
1974 Maribel Lopez Del Hoya[15] Spain
1975 Maureen Temple[16][17] Londonderry
1976 Anne Marie McDaid[16][17] Derry
1977 Sheila T Boyle[15] Bayonne
1978 Bernice McElroy[18] Down Warrenpoint, County Down 18
1979 Ann O'Callaghan Louth
1980 Marie Coyle[14] Glasgow
1981 Noreen Galligan[19] An Ghaeltacht
1982 Debbie O'Brien[20] Manchester 17
1983 Máire McCole[21][14] Dungloe
1984 Anne Marie Moloney[14] New York Jackson Heights 18
1985 Sheila Hughes[14] Mayo
1986 Linda Farrell[22] Louth 22
1987 Maria McGovern[21][14] Dublin Dublin
1988 Maureen Connelly[15] Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania New York 24
1989 Carmel Kelly[23] Donegal Donegal
1990 Anne Marie Downes[15] Louth
1991 Pamela Sheridan[24] Meath
1992 Paula O'Reilly[25][14] Monaghan
1993 Samantha Pairman[26] North East England
1994 Sarah Mulholland[26][14] Dungloe Kincasslagh 21
1995 Kathleen McMahon[14] New York New York 20
1996 Siobhan Bignell Melbourne London, England 24
1997 Heather Stewart[27] Edinburgh
1998 Brighid Williams Sydney
1999 Ciara Diver[17] Derry Portstewart, County Londonderry
2000 Shirley McGlynn[28] Manchester Dublin 21
2001 Fiona Callan[29][30] Wicklow Wicklow 19
2002 Jolene McMonagle[30] An Ghealtacht Falcarragh 22
2003 Aisling Friel[31] Glasgow Glasgow 21
2004 Lisa Mc Kelvey[32] Dungloe Dungloe 20
2005 Katie Armstrong[33] Philadelphia Philadelphia 25
2006 Jennifer Halton Kildare Kildare 22
2007 Kerry Sweeney[27] Edinburgh Edinburgh 21
2008 Una Rooney[34] Armagh Armagh 24
2009 Kate Ferguson[17] Derry Derry 25
2010 Jemma Ferry[35][27] Edinburgh Edinburgh 22
2011 Debbie Rodgers[36] Dungloe Burtonport 21
2012 Meghan Davis[37] Philadelphia Wilkes-Barre, PA 26
2013 Grace Sweeney[38] Glasgow Glasgow 27
2014 Kate Linsay[39] Sydney Sydney 19
2015 Siobhan Dunn[40][27] Edinburgh Edinburgh 28
2016 Eva Ní Dhoibhlinn[41] Gaeltacht Gweedore 20
2017 Alisha Medford[42] Glasgow Glasgow 20
2018 Caroline O'Donnell[43] Dungloe Leffin 25
2019–2022 Róisín Maher[44] New York Carlow 27
2021 Virtual Mary Alannagh Nic Fhloinn[45] Pleanáil Teanga (Gaeltacht) Sheskinarone 22
2022 Caitlin Finn[46] London Ballybofey London Letterkenny 21
2023 Adele Morgan[47] Dubai

Glasgow

28
2024 Clare O’Donnell[12] Donegal

Letterkenny

26

Entertainers and musicians

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Many Irish and international acts have performed at the festival over the years. The traditional annual crowd puller, however, continues to be internationally renowned folk singer Daniel O'Donnell, who made his festival debut in 1985.

Famous comperes

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The Mary From Dungloe contest final has been compered by a number of famous faces.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Marys2024 – Mary From Dungloe". maryfromdungloe.ie. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Massive Congratulations to our new Birmingham Mary this year, Niamh Kerrigan. ..." www.facebook.com. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e Gallagher, Aoife (13 May 2024). "Mary mayhem as five more selected for Dungloe Festival lineup". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  4. ^ McLoughlin, Laura (24 March 2024). "Letterkenny woman selected to represent Donegal in Mary from Dungloe Festival". Donegal News. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  5. ^ "MEET OUR U.A.E. MARY - Mary from Dungloe International Arts Festival". Facebook. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  6. ^ Meehan, Dionne (9 January 2024). "Young Dungloe girl selected to represent town at 2024 festival". Donegal News. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  7. ^ Gallagher, Aoife (28 April 2024). "Leah McDaid set to represent the Gaeltacht at The Mary From Dungloe". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  8. ^ Gallagher, Aoife (15 March 2024). "Mairead McEnroe selected to represent Glasgow at Mary From Dungloe". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  9. ^ Gallagher, Aoife (14 March 2024). "Kyna Boyle selected to represent London at the Mary From Dungloe Arts Festival". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Glasgow 'MARY' and NYMFD Emcee Roisin Moran Brady presenting sash to the 2024 NY MFD 'Mary' Caitlin Therese Ward ,,, - Mary Dungloe". Facebook. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Our 2024 Philadelphia Philadelphia Mary.. Scarlett Catalfamo!!! 💚💛💃🎉👑". www.facebook.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b Gallagher, Aoife (4 August 2024). "Clare O'Donnell crowned as 2024 Mary From Dungloe". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  13. ^ McCallig, Elaine (8 July 2017). "Watch: 50th Mary from Dungloe Festival launched, with first ever winner meeting current Marys". Donegal Daily. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i McLaughlin, Rachel (31 July 2017). "Events: Celebrating fond memories and friendships at the Mary from Dungloe Golden Jubilee Banquet – Donegal Woman". Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g "Mary Dungloe – Hi all, we are trying to get in contact with the ... |". 4 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2024 – via Facebook.
  16. ^ a b "ARE YOU THE NEXT DERRY "MARY FROM DUNGLOE"?". Derry Daily. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d "Legal eagle Kate crowned the new Mary of Dungloe". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 4 August 2009. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Warrenpoint Girl is "Mary From Dungloe"". Derry Journal. Derry, Northern Ireland. 11 August 1978. p. 17.
  19. ^ "Irish Broadcasting History & Hall of Fame: The Pirate Radio of Dungloe". Irish Broadcasting History & Hall of Fame. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Summer Festival Fever". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  21. ^ a b McLaughlin, Rachel (31 July 2017). "Picture Special: Nostalgia and celebrations at the Mary from Dungloe Golden Jubilee Banquet". Donegal Daily. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Mary From Dungloe Competition". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  23. ^ "1982 Donegal Sports Star winners honoured at 2022 launch". Donegal Daily. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  24. ^ McLaughlin, Rachel (1 August 2017). "What Mary from Dungloe means to me – with Meath Mary, Aisling Ni Aoidh – Donegal Woman". Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Daniel O'Donnell And Mary From Dungloe". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Daniel O'Donnell – Myself and Majella with Samantha Pairman who was Mary From Dungloe in 1993 and Sarah Mulholland who was Mary From Dungloe in 1994. Both girls worked in the Viking House. | Facebook". 30 July 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2024 – via Facebook.
  27. ^ a b c d McLoughlin, Laura (22 January 2023). "Keadue dentist retires from Edinburgh practice". Donegal News. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  28. ^ a b Brett, Sarah (26 April 2001). "NORTHWEST – Kennedy to perform at Mary from Dungloe". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Wicklow beauty wins Mary title". The Irish Times. 7 August 2001. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  30. ^ a b McGarvey, Eoin (5 August 2002). "Daniel gets diet tips as Gaeltacht girl steals show". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  31. ^ McGarvey, Eoin (4 August 2003). "Falling apart at the seams . . . Aisling in stitches after festival win". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  32. ^ McGarvey, Eoin (2 August 2004). "'Hometown' decision as Mary from Dungloe title goes to local". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  33. ^ McGarvey, Eoin (1 August 2005). "Mary from Dungloe title win is just the tonic for US nurse Katie". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  34. ^ Hogan, Louise (4 August 2008). "Bizarre meets beautiful over weekend of festivals". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Edinburgh Mary secures Dungloe crown". Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  36. ^ McGarvey, Eoin (2 August 2011). "Debbie's dream comes true as she wins 'Mary' crown". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  37. ^ Walsh, Jane (7 August 2012). "Philadelphia woman wins 45th Mary from Dungloe competition". IrishCentral.com. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  38. ^ "MARY WINS THE FESTIVAL CROWN WITH A BROKEN LEG". Donegal Daily. 7 August 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  39. ^ Blake Knox, Kirsty (5 August 2014). "Kate from Down Under is crowned Mary from Dungloe". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  40. ^ "Siobhan Dunn named Mary from Dungloe 2015". Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  41. ^ "Gaeltacht Mary, Eva Ni Dhoibhlinn crowned Mary from Dungloe 2016". Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  42. ^ "Glasgow legal student Alisha Medford is crowned Mary from Dungloe 2017". donegallive.ie. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  43. ^ Maguire, Stephen (6 August 2018). "Local woman Caroline scoops this year's Mary from Dungloe crown". Donegal Daily. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  44. ^ Sanz, Catherine (5 August 2019). "Construction manager wins the 2019 Mary from Dungloe crown". The Irish Times. Dungloe. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  45. ^ Ashmore, Chris. "Winner of 2021 Virtual Mary From Dungloe is announced". donegallive.ie. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  46. ^ "'London Mary' Caitlin is the 2022 Mary from Dungloe". Donegal Daily. 31 July 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  47. ^ Doherty, Diarmaid (7 August 2023). "Adele selected as 2023 Mary from Dungloe". Donegal News. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  48. ^ "We've had some... – Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival". 16 May 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024 – via Facebook.
  49. ^ "RTÉ Archives on X: "Emmet Spiceland with Donal Lunny play ..."". 30 July 2017 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ McCallig, Elaine (5 August 2017). "Hundreds attend Nathan Carter gig in Dungloe". Donegal Daily. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
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