Mary from Dungloe (festival) explained

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

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

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

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

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

Year Winner Represented Originally From Age
1968 Celine Powell[13] [14]
1969 Marie McGlinchey[15]
1970 Monina Hughes
1971 Gloria O'Boyle Donegal
1972 Carole Mary Carr
1973 Nora BoyleDonegal
1974 Maribel Lopez Del HoyaSpain
1975 Maureen Temple[16] [17]
1976 Anne Marie McDaidDerry
1977 Sheila T Boyle
1978 Bernice McElroy[18] Warrenpoint, County Down18
1979 Ann O'Callaghan
1980 Marie Coyle
1981 Noreen Galligan[19]
1982 Debbie O'Brien[20] 17
1983 Máire McCole[21]
1984 Anne Marie MoloneyNew York Jackson Heights18
1985 Sheila Hughes
1986 Linda Farrell[22] Louth 22
1987 Maria McGovernDublin
1988 Maureen ConnellyNew York 24
1989 Carmel Kelly[23] Donegal Donegal
1990 Anne Marie DownesLouth
1991 Pamela Sheridan[24]
1992 Paula O'Reilly[25]
1993 Samantha Pairman[26]
1994 Sarah MulhollandDungloe 21
1995 Kathleen McMahonNew York New York 20
1996 Siobhan Bignell London, England 24
1997 Heather Stewart[27]
1998 Brighid Williams Sydney
1999 Ciara DiverDerry Portstewart, County Londonderry
2000 Shirley McGlynn[28] Dublin 21
2001 Fiona Callan[29] [30] Wicklow 19
2002 Jolene McMonagleAn Ghealtacht 22
2003 Aisling Friel[31] Glasgow Glasgow 21
2004 Lisa Mc Kelvey[32] Dungloe Dungloe 20
2005 Katie Armstrong[33] Philadelphia 25
2006 Jennifer Halton 22
2007 Kerry Sweeney21
2008 Una Rooney[34] 24
2009 Kate Ferguson25
2010 Jemma Ferry[35] 22
2011 Debbie Rodgers[36] 21
2012 Meghan Davis[37] 26
2013 Grace Sweeney[38] 27
2014 Kate Linsay[39] 19
2015 Siobhan Dunn[40] 28
2016 Eva Ní Dhoibhlinn[41] 20
2017 Alisha Medford[42] 20
2018 Caroline O'Donnell[43] 25
2019–2022 Róisín Maher[44] 27
2021 Virtual Mary Alannagh Nic Fhloinn[45] Pleanáil Teanga (Gaeltacht) 22
2022 Caitlin Finn[46] London Ballybofey London Letterkenny21
2023 Adele Morgan[47] 28
2024 Clare O’DonnellDonegal Letterkenny26

Entertainers and musicians

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

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

References

  1. Web site: Marys2024 – Mary From Dungloe . live . https://archive.today/20240626141208/https://maryfromdungloe.ie/marys2024/ . 2024-06-26 . 2024-06-26 . maryfromdungloe.ie.
  2. Web site: 2024-04-14 . Massive Congratulations to our new Birmingham Mary this year, Niamh Kerrigan. ... . 2024-04-15 . www.facebook.com .
  3. Web site: Gallagher . Aoife . 2024-05-13 . Mary mayhem as five more selected for Dungloe Festival lineup . 2024-05-13 . www.donegallive.ie . en.
  4. Web site: McLoughlin . Laura . 2024-03-24 . Letterkenny woman selected to represent Donegal in Mary from Dungloe Festival . 2024-04-15 . Donegal News . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2024-05-24 . MEET OUR U.A.E. MARY - Mary from Dungloe International Arts Festival . 2024-06-26 . Facebook.
  6. Web site: Meehan . Dionne . 2024-01-09 . Young Dungloe girl selected to represent town at 2024 festival . 2024-04-15 . Donegal News . en-US.
  7. Web site: Gallagher . Aoife . 2024-04-28 . Leah McDaid set to represent the Gaeltacht at The Mary From Dungloe . 2024-04-29 . www.donegallive.ie . en.
  8. Web site: Gallagher . Aoife . 2024-03-15 . Mairead McEnroe selected to represent Glasgow at Mary From Dungloe . 2024-04-15 . www.donegallive.ie . en.
  9. Web site: Gallagher . Aoife . 2024-03-14 . Kyna Boyle selected to represent London at the Mary From Dungloe Arts Festival . 2024-04-15 . www.donegallive.ie . en.
  10. Web site: 2024-05-22 . Glasgow ‘MARY’ and NYMFD Emcee Roisin Moran Brady presenting sash to the 2024 NY MFD ‘Mary’ Caitlin Therese Ward,,, - Mary Dungloe . 2024-05-24 . Facebook.
  11. Web site: 2023-12-03 . Our 2024 Philadelphia Philadelphia Mary.. Scarlett Catalfamo!!! . 2024-04-15 . www.facebook.com .
  12. Web site: Gallagher . Aoife . 2024-08-04 . Clare O’Donnell crowned as 2024 Mary From Dungloe . 2024-08-06 . www.donegallive.ie . en.
  13. Web site: McCallig . Elaine . 2017-07-08 . Watch: 50th Mary from Dungloe Festival launched, with first ever winner meeting current Marys . 2024-02-02 . Donegal Daily . en-US.
  14. Web site: McLaughlin . Rachel . 2017-07-31 . Events: Celebrating fond memories and friendships at the Mary from Dungloe Golden Jubilee Banquet – Donegal Woman . 2024-02-02 . en-US.
  15. Web site: 2017-02-04 . Mary Dungloe – Hi all, we are trying to get in contact with the ... . 2024-02-02 . Facebook.
  16. Web site: 2014-04-30 . ARE YOU THE NEXT DERRY "MARY FROM DUNGLOE"? . 2024-02-02 . Derry Daily . en-US.
  17. News: 2009-08-04 . Legal eagle Kate crowned the new Mary of Dungloe . 2024-02-02 . BelfastTelegraph.co.uk . en-GB . 0307-1235.
  18. News: 1978-08-11 . Warrenpoint Girl is "Mary From Dungloe" . . Derry, Northern Ireland . 17.
  19. Web site: 2020-04-18 . Irish Broadcasting History & Hall of Fame: The Pirate Radio of Dungloe . 2024-02-02 . Irish Broadcasting History & Hall of Fame.
  20. Web site: Summer Festival Fever . 2024-02-02 . RTÉ Archives . en.
  21. Web site: McLaughlin . Rachel . 2017-07-31 . Picture Special: Nostalgia and celebrations at the Mary from Dungloe Golden Jubilee Banquet . 2024-02-02 . Donegal Daily . en-US .
  22. Web site: Mary From Dungloe Competition . 2024-02-02 . RTÉ Archives . en.
  23. Web site: 2023-01-09 . 1982 Donegal Sports Star winners honoured at 2022 launch . 2024-02-02 . Donegal Daily . en-US.
  24. Web site: McLaughlin . Rachel . 2017-08-01 . What Mary from Dungloe means to me – with Meath Mary, Aisling Ni Aoidh – Donegal Woman . 2024-02-02 . en-US.
  25. Web site: Daniel O'Donnell And Mary From Dungloe . 2024-02-02 . RTÉ Archives . en.
  26. Web site: 2017-07-30 . 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 . 2024-02-02 . en . Facebook.
  27. Web site: McLoughlin . Laura . 2023-01-22 . Keadue dentist retires from Edinburgh practice . 2024-02-02 . Donegal News . en-US.
  28. News: Brett . Sarah . 2001-04-26 . NORTHWEST – Kennedy to perform at Mary from Dungloe . 2024-02-02 . BelfastTelegraph.co.uk . en-GB . 0307-1235.
  29. News: 2001-08-07 . Wicklow beauty wins Mary title . 2024-02-02 . The Irish Times . en.
  30. Web site: McGarvey . Eoin . 2002-08-05 . Daniel gets diet tips as Gaeltacht girl steals show . 2024-02-02 . Irish Independent . en.
  31. Web site: McGarvey . Eoin . 2003-08-04 . Falling apart at the seams . . . Aisling in stitches after festival win . 2024-02-02 . Irish Independent . en.
  32. Web site: McGarvey . Eoin . 2004-08-02 . 'Hometown' decision as Mary from Dungloe title goes to local . 2024-02-02 . Irish Independent . en.
  33. Web site: McGarvey . Eoin . 2005-08-01 . Mary from Dungloe title win is just the tonic for US nurse Katie . 2024-02-02 . Irish Independent . en.
  34. Web site: Hogan . Louise . 2008-08-04 . Bizarre meets beautiful over weekend of festivals . 2024-02-02 . Irish Independent . en.
  35. Web site: 2010-08-02 . Edinburgh Mary secures Dungloe crown . 2024-02-02 . Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport . en-GB.
  36. Web site: McGarvey . Eoin . 2011-08-02 . Debbie's dream comes true as she wins 'Mary' crown . 2024-02-02 . Irish Independent . en.
  37. Web site: Walsh . Jane . 2012-08-07 . Philadelphia woman wins 45th Mary from Dungloe competition . 2024-02-02 . IrishCentral.com . en.
  38. Web site: 2013-08-07 . MARY WINS THE FESTIVAL CROWN WITH A BROKEN LEG . 2024-02-02 . Donegal Daily . en-US.
  39. Web site: Blake Knox . Kirsty . 2014-08-05 . Kate from Down Under is crowned Mary from Dungloe . 2024-02-02 . Irish Independent . en.
  40. Web site: 2015-08-03 . Siobhan Dunn named Mary from Dungloe 2015 . 2024-02-02 . Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport . en-GB.
  41. Web site: 2016-08-01 . Gaeltacht Mary, Eva Ni Dhoibhlinn crowned Mary from Dungloe 2016 . 2024-02-02 . Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport . en-GB.
  42. Web site: 2017-08-07 . Glasgow legal student Alisha Medford is crowned Mary from Dungloe 2017 . 2024-02-02 . donegallive.ie . en.
  43. Web site: Maguire . Stephen . 2018-08-06 . Local woman Caroline scoops this year's Mary from Dungloe crown . 2024-02-02 . Donegal Daily . en-US.
  44. News: Sanz . Catherine . 2019-08-05 . Construction manager wins the 2019 Mary from Dungloe crown . 2024-02-02 . The Irish Times . Dungloe . en.
  45. Web site: Ashmore . Chris . Winner of 2021 Virtual Mary From Dungloe is announced . 2024-02-02 . donegallive.ie . en.
  46. Web site: 2022-07-31 . 'London Mary' Caitlin is the 2022 Mary from Dungloe . 2024-02-02 . Donegal Daily . en-US.
  47. Web site: Doherty . Diarmaid . 2023-08-07 . Adele selected as 2023 Mary from Dungloe . 2024-02-02 . Donegal News . en-US.
  48. Web site: 2019-05-16 . We've had some... – Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival . 2024-02-02 . Facebook.
  49. Web site: 2017-07-30 . RTÉ Archives on X: "Emmet Spiceland with Donal Lunny play ..." . Twitter.
  50. Web site: McCallig . Elaine . 2017-08-05 . Hundreds attend Nathan Carter gig in Dungloe . 2024-02-02 . Donegal Daily . en-US.

External links

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mary from Dungloe (festival)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.