Mary from Dungloe (festival)

Irish music festival in Dungloe, County Donegal

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.

## Participating communities

[edit]

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:

* Antrim
* Armagh
* Bayonne, New Jersey
* Belfast
* Birmingham
* Cavan
* Chicago
* Connacht
* Cork
* Kildare
* Derry
* Donegal
* Down
* Dubai
* Dungloe
* Dublin
* Edinburgh
* Fermanagh
* France
* An Ghaeltacht
* Galway
* Glasgow
* India
* Limerick
* London
* Louth
* Manchester
* Mayo
* Meath
* Melbourne
* Miami
* Midlands (Ireland)
* Midlands (UK)
* Monaghan
* North East England
* Tipperary
* New York
* Washington DC
* Philadelphia
* Roscommon
* San Francisco
* Spain
* Sydney
* Tyrone
* Waterford
* Wicklow
* Wild Atlantic Way
* Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

## Traditional festival events

[edit]

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.

This list of songs or music-related items is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (October 2021)

|

## 2025 Contestants

[edit]

The 2025 'Marys' for the festival were:

* Ellen Luff – Birmingham[1][2]
* Caragh Ryan – Connacht[3][4]
* Alana O’Leary – Donegal[5]
* Anna Sutcliffe – Dublin[2]
* Ellie Ward – Dungloe[6][5]
* Maria O'Donnell – Edinburgh[7][2]
* Niamh Ní Bhaoill – Gaeltacht[8][2]
* Niamh Brown – Glasgow[9][2]
* Kate Tobin – London[10][9]
* Taragh Brady – Midlands[11][2]
* Tara Molloy – New York[12][2]
* Olivia Boyce – Philadelphia[2]
* Ciara Hassan – Ulster[2][13]
* Sarah Hughes – United Arab Emirates[2]
* Lucy Baskin – Wild Atlantic Way[5][2]

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

## Contest winners

[edit]

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

Year | Winner | Represented | Originally From | Age

|
|
|
|

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

Glasgow

| 28
2024 | Clare O’Donnell[50] | Donegal |

Letterkenny

| 26
2025  | Ellie Ward[14] | Dungloe  | Dungloe  | 19

## Entertainers and musicians

[edit]

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.

* Daniel O'Donnell,[27] Boyzone,[51] Brian Kennedy,[30] Donal Lunny,[52] Altan, The Hothouse Flowers, Goats Don't Shave, Nathan Carter,[53] Christy Moore, The Sawdoctors, Paul Brady, Shane McGowan.
* Barry Sinclair, Jimmy Buckley, Hugo Duncan, Mad Dog Macrea, Louise DaCosta, Riverdance, Jake Carter and many more.

## Famous comperes

[edit]

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

* Gay Byrne
* Daniel O'Donnell
* Marty Whelan
* Pat Kenny
* Thelma Mansfield
* Gerry Kelly
* Noel Cunningham
* Dave O'Connor

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Hennessy, David (22 April 2025). "Ellen Luff selected as Birmingham's Mary from Dungloe". The Irish World. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ 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.
17. ^ 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.
18. ^ a b "ARE YOU THE NEXT DERRY "MARY FROM DUNGLOE"?". Derry Daily. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
19. ^ 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.
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. ^ 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.
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. ^ a b "Daniel O'Donnell And Mary From Dungloe". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
28. ^ 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.
29. ^ a b c d McLoughlin, Laura (22 January 2023). "Keadue dentist retires from Edinburgh practice". Donegal News. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
30. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Linda Farrell Is Mary From Dungloe, 1986 episode of Faces and Places from the RTÉ Television archives
* https://www.donegallive.ie/news/donegal-life/874310/winner-of-the-2022-mary-from-dungloe-international-arts-festival-is-chosen.html
* https://www.donegaldaily.com/2022/08/01/london-mary-caitlin-is-the-2022-mary-from-dungloe/
* https://www.donegallive.ie/news/west-donegal/874370/gallery-2022-mary-from-dungloe-winner-london-mary-caitlin-finn.html