Mary from Dungloe (festival)

Last updated

A typical scene at the Mary From Dungloe Festival, 2005. Dungloe music festival (1) - geograph.org.uk - 51567.jpg
A typical scene at the Mary From Dungloe Festival, 2005.

The Mary From Dungloe International Festival is an 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.

Contents

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:

EventTraditional Location
Opening CeremonyMain St.
Introduction of MFD ContestantsMain St.
Country SundayMain St.
Lá GaelachMain St.
Open Air MusicMain St.
Art ExhibitionSharkey's Service Station / Ionad Teampaill Chróine
McGurk's Fun Fair The Cope Car Park, Quay Road
Childrens Sports DayCLG An Clochán Liath/Dungloe GAA Grounds
Men's Golf Open Cruit Island Golf Club
Ladies Golf OpenCruit Island Golf Club
Treasure HuntMain St. starting point
Annual 5K Road RaceMain St. & surrounds
Fly Fishing CompetitionDungloe Marina
Little Miss Mary CompetitionParochial Hall/ CDP na Rosann
Table QuizMaghery Community Centre/ Midway Bar & Restaurant
Junior Table QuizIonad Teampall Cróine
Social Evening with the MarysVarious
Historic Tour of the RossesDeparts Main St.
Walk the RossesDungloe area, Leitir/Lettermacaward, Maghery, Rann na Feirste, Loch an Iúir, Burtonport
Interviewing of the MFD Contestants Carrickfinn Airport / Rosses Community School
Bonny Baby ShowParochial Hall
Daniel O'Donnell in ConcertFestival Dome
Carnival ParadeMain St.
Band CompetitionMain St.
MFD Contest FinalFestival Dome / Ionad Spóirt na Rosann
Gala Ball Waterfront Hotel
Closing CeremonyMain St.

2025 Contestants

The 2025 'Marys' for the festival were:

Ellie Ward, the Dungloe Mary, was crowned the 2025 Mary from Dungloe on 3 August 2025. [14]

Contest winners

Below is a complete list of contest winners from 1968 to 2024.

YearWinnerRepresentedOriginally FromAge
1968Celine Powell [15] [16] Dublin Galway
1969Marie McGlinchey [17] Donegal
1970Monina Hughes Armagh
1971Gloria O'BoyleDonegal Bunbeg, Gweedore
1972Carole Mary Carr [17] Limerick
1973Nora Boyle [17] DonegalBurndennet, County Tyrone
1974Maribel Lopez Del Hoya [17] Spain
1975Maureen Temple [18] [19] Londonderry
1976Anne Marie McDaid [18] [19] Derry
1977Sheila T Boyle [17] Bayonne
1978Bernice McElroy [20] Down Warrenpoint, County Down 18
1979Ann O'Callaghan Louth
1980Marie Coyle [16] Glasgow
1981Noreen Galligan [21] An Ghaeltacht
1982Debbie O'Brien [22] Manchester 17
1983Máire McCole [23] [16] Dungloe
1984Anne Marie Moloney [16] New York Jackson Heights 18
1985Sheila Hughes [16] Mayo
1986Linda Farrell [24] Louth22
1987Maria McGovern [23] [16] Dublin Dublin
1988Maureen Connelly [17] Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania New York24
1989Carmel Kelly [25] DonegalDonegal
1990Anne Marie Downes [17] Louth
1991Pamela Sheridan [26] Meath
1992Paula O'Reilly [27] [16] Monaghan
1993Samantha Pairman [28] North East England
1994Sarah Mulholland [28] [16] Dungloe Kincasslagh 21
1995Kathleen McMahon [16] New YorkNew York20
1996Siobhan Bignell Melbourne London, England24
1997Heather Stewart [29] Edinburgh
1998Brighid WilliamsSydney
1999Ciara Diver [19] Derry Portstewart, County Londonderry
2000Shirley McGlynn [30] Manchester Dublin21
2001Fiona Callan [31] [32] Wicklow Wicklow19
2002Jolene McMonagle [32] An Ghealtacht Falcarragh 22
2003 Aisling Friel [33] GlasgowGlasgow21
2004Lisa Mc Kelvey [34] DungloeDungloe20
2005Katie Armstrong [35] Philadelphia Philadelphia25
2006Jennifer Halton Kildare Kildare 22
2007Kerry Sweeney [29] Edinburgh Edinburgh 21
2008Una Rooney [36] Armagh Armagh 24
2009Kate Ferguson [19] Derry Derry 25
2010Jemma Ferry [37] [29] Edinburgh Edinburgh 22
2011Debbie Rodgers [38] Dungloe Burtonport 21
2012Meghan Davis [39] Philadelphia Wilkes-Barre, PA 26
2013Grace Sweeney [40] Glasgow Glasgow 27
2014Kate Linsay [41] Sydney Sydney 19
2015Siobhan Dunn [42] [29] Edinburgh Edinburgh 28
2016Eva Ní Dhoibhlinn [43] Gaeltacht Gweedore 20
2017Alisha Medford [44] Glasgow Glasgow 20
2018Caroline O'Donnell [45] Dungloe Leffin 25
2019–2022Róisín Maher [46] New York Carlow 27
2021 Virtual MaryAlannagh Nic Fhloinn [47] Pleanáil Teanga (Gaeltacht) Sheskinarone 22
2022Caitlin Finn [48] London Ballybofey London Letterkenny 21
2023Adele Morgan [49] Dubai

Glasgow

28
2024Clare O’Donnell [50] Donegal

Letterkenny

26
2025Ellie Ward [14] DungloeDungloe19

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. ↑ Hennessy, David (22 April 2025). "Ellen Luff selected as Birmingham's Mary from Dungloe". The Irish World . Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Marys 2025". Mary From Dungloe. Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "Mayo contestant selected for 'Mary from Dungloe' final". The Connaught Telegraph . 9 April 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  4. ↑ Ryan, Emma (15 April 2025). "Mayo woman Caragh selected as first 'Connacht Mary' to take part in Mary from Dungloe Festival". Irish Independent . Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 "Two more 'Marys' celebrate selection for 2025 festival". Donegal Daily . 22 February 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  6. ↑ Foley, Alan (2 February 2025). "Ellie Ward chosen to be the 2025 Dungloe Mary". Donegal Live. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  7. ↑ Hennessy, David (22 April 2025). "25- year- old nurse Maria O'Donnell is 2025 Edinburgh Mary from Dungloe". The Irish World . Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  8. ↑ Foley, Alan (1 March 2025). "Glencolmcille's Niamh Ní Bhaoill is crowned Gaeltacht Mary for 2025". Donegal Live. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  9. 1 2 Foley, Alan (13 March 2025). "Kate Tobin and Niamh Brown to represent London and Glasgow at Mary from Dungloe". Donegal Live. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  10. ↑ Hennessy, David (17 March 2025). "Kate Tobin is London Mary from Dungloe 2025". The Irish World . Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  11. ↑ Collins, Róise (5 April 2025). "Mary selections in full swing as festival approaches". Donegal News . Retrieved 14 May 2025. ...Taragh Brady was chosen as the Midlands Mary in a selection convention held in Cavan
  12. ↑ Molloy, Tara [@newyork_mary2025]; (26 February 2025). "These are pictures from May 19, 2024. This night I was selected to represent New York In Dungloe at the @mfdfest. I am over the moon about attending, and can't wait to meet all the other Mary's!!" . Retrieved 14 May 2025– via Instagram.
  13. ↑ McElwee, Paul (5 July 2025). "Strabane teenager representing Ulster in famous 'Mary' festival". Strabane Chronicle . Retrieved 11 July 2025– via wearetyrone.com.
  14. 1 2 Gallagher, Aoife (3 August 2025). "Dungloe's Ellie Ward is crowned as 2025 Mary From Dungloe". Donegal Live . Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 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.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Mary Dungloe – Hi all, we are trying to get in contact with the ... |". 4 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2024– via Facebook.
  18. 1 2 "ARE YOU THE NEXT DERRY "MARY FROM DUNGLOE"?". Derry Daily. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  19. 1 2 3 4 "Legal eagle Kate crowned the new Mary of Dungloe". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 4 August 2009. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  20. ↑ "Warrenpoint Girl is "Mary From Dungloe"". Derry Journal . Derry, Northern Ireland. 11 August 1978. p. 17.
  21. ↑ "Irish Broadcasting History & Hall of Fame: The Pirate Radio of Dungloe". Irish Broadcasting History & Hall of Fame. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  22. ↑ "Summer Festival Fever". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  23. 1 2 McLaughlin, Rachel (31 July 2017). "Picture Special: Nostalgia and celebrations at the Mary from Dungloe Golden Jubilee Banquet". Donegal Daily . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  24. ↑ "Mary From Dungloe Competition". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  25. ↑ "1982 Donegal Sports Star winners honoured at 2022 launch". Donegal Daily . 9 January 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  26. ↑ McLaughlin, Rachel (1 August 2017). "What Mary from Dungloe means to me – with Meath Mary, Aisling Ni Aoidh – Donegal Woman" . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  27. 1 2 "Daniel O'Donnell And Mary From Dungloe". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  28. 1 2 "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.
  29. 1 2 3 4 McLoughlin, Laura (22 January 2023). "Keadue dentist retires from Edinburgh practice". Donegal News . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  30. 1 2 Brett, Sarah (26 April 2001). "NORTHWEST – Kennedy to perform at Mary from Dungloe". Belfast Telegraph . ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  31. ↑ "Wicklow beauty wins Mary title". The Irish Times . 7 August 2001. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  32. 1 2 McGarvey, Eoin (6 August 2002). "Daniel gets diet tips as Gaeltacht girl steals show". Irish Independent . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  33. ↑ McGarvey, Eoin (4 August 2003). "Falling apart at the seams . . . Aisling in stitches after festival win. . Retrieved ". Irish Independent . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  34. ↑ McGarvey, Eoin (2 August 2004). "'Hometown' decision as Mary from Dungloe title goes to local". Irish Independent . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  35. ↑ McGarvey, Eoin (1 August 2005). "Mary from Dungloe title win is just the tonic for US nurse Katie". Irish Independent . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  36. ↑ Hogan, Louise (5 August 2008). "Bizarre meets beautiful over weekend of festivals". Irish Independent . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  37. ↑ "Edinburgh Mary secures Dungloe crown". Highland Radio . 2 August 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  38. ↑ McGarvey, Eoin (2 August 2011). "Debbie's dream comes true as she wins 'Mary' crown". Irish Independent . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  39. ↑ Walsh, Jane (7 August 2012). "Philadelphia woman wins 45th Mary from Dungloe competition". IrishCentral.com. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  40. ↑ "MARY WINS THE FESTIVAL CROWN WITH A BROKEN LEG". Donegal Daily . 7 August 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  41. ↑ Blake Knox, Kirsty (5 August 2014). "Kate from Down Under is crowned Mary from Dungloe". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  42. ↑ "Siobhan Dunn named Mary from Dungloe 2015". Highland Radio . 3 August 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  43. ↑ "Gaeltacht Mary, Eva Ni Dhoibhlinn crowned Mary from Dungloe 2016". Highland Radio . 1 August 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  44. ↑ "Glasgow legal student Alisha Medford is crowned Mary from Dungloe 2017". Donegal Live. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  45. ↑ Maguire, Stephen (6 August 2018). "Local woman Caroline scoops this year's Mary from Dungloe crown". Donegal Daily . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  46. ↑ Sanz, Catherine (5 August 2019). "Construction manager wins the 2019 Mary from Dungloe crown". The Irish Times . Dungloe. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  47. ↑ Ashmore, Chris (2 August 2021). "Winner of 2021 Virtual Mary From Dungloe is announced". Donegal Live. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  48. ↑ "'London Mary' Caitlin is the 2022 Mary from Dungloe". Donegal Daily . 31 July 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  49. ↑ Doherty, Diarmaid (7 August 2023). "Adele selected as 2023 Mary from Dungloe". Donegal News . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  50. ↑ Gallagher, Aoife (4 August 2024). "Clare O'Donnell crowned as 2024 Mary From Dungloe". Donegal Live. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  51. ↑ "We've had some... – Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival". 16 May 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024– via Facebook.
  52. ↑ "RTÉ Archives on X: "Emmet Spiceland with Donal Lunny play ..."". 30 July 2017 – via Twitter.
  53. ↑ McCallig, Elaine (5 August 2017). "Hundreds attend Nathan Carter gig in Dungloe". Donegal Daily . Retrieved 2 February 2024.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.