Mary from Dungloe (festival) facts for kids

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

The Mary From Dungloe International Festival is a super fun Irish music festival! It happens every year in a small town called Dungloe in County Donegal, usually at the end of July. The main part of the festival is a special competition. Young women from all over the world, who have Irish family or links to Ireland, come to take part. They are called "Marys." The festival chooses one person who shows the true spirit of the festival. She is then crowned "Mary From Dungloe."

The winner gets to hold this special title for a whole year. She also becomes an ambassador for the festival. This means she helps represent the festival and its spirit. Many Irish communities from different countries, and even some Irish counties and towns, choose a young woman to represent them. The festival has become very popular. Tens of thousands of people visit Dungloe to enjoy the fun every year! The festival is inspired by a famous song called "Mary from Dungloe." It's a bit like how the Rose of Tralee festival is inspired by its own song. In 2019, the festival celebrated its 52nd birthday! Roisin Maher from New York was crowned Mary From Dungloe that year.

Communities Taking Part

Many communities around the world have strong connections to County Donegal. They hold their own local contests to pick their special "Mary." This chosen "Mary" then travels to Dungloe to compete in the main festival. Here are some of the places that have sent contestants:

Fun Festival Events

The Mary From Dungloe Festival has lots of exciting events every year. These events are a big part of the festival's tradition. Here are some examples of the fun things you can do:

This list of songs or music-related items is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Meet the 2024 Contestants

Here are the "Marys" who are expected to take part in the 2024 festival:

• TBD – Belfast
• Niamh Kerrigan – Birmingham
• Orla Sheridan – Cavan
• Clare O’Donnell – Donegal
• Gemma Doherty – United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
• Molly Part – Dublin
• Áine McGee – Dungloe
• Kaylin Healy – Edinburgh
• Leah Ní Dháibhéid – Gaeltacht
• Mairead McEnroe – Glasgow
• Kyna Boyle – London
• Caitlin Therese Ward – New York
• Scarlett Catalfamo – Philadelphia
• Marina Boyle – Wicklow
• Molly Gallagher – Wild Atlantic Way

Past Winners

This is a list of all the amazing young women who have won the "Mary From Dungloe" title from 1968 to 2023.

Famous Performers and Hosts

Many well-known Irish and international artists have performed at the festival. The most popular performer, who always draws a huge crowd, is the famous folk singer Daniel O'Donnell. He first performed at the festival way back in 1985!

Some of the other great acts who have performed include:

• Daniel O'Donnell, Boyzone, Brian Kennedy, Donal Lunny, Altan, The Hothouse Flowers, Goats Don't Shave, Nathan Carter, 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.

The final night of the Mary From Dungloe contest has also been hosted by many famous TV personalities. These hosts are called "comperes."

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