The launch of the 50th Mary from Dungloe International Festival took place yesterday evening at The Waterfront Hotel Dungloe.
We are excited to announce that Donegal Daily, along with Jacksons Media TV, will be live-streaming the Crowning Cabaret on August 6th!
Reigning Mary from Dungloe Eva Ni Dhoibhlinn says “I’ve had an absolutely amazing year, I started the festival as the Gaeltacht Mary and was so excited to be a representative for the language and the Gaeltacht itself.”
Eva says that she has had so many opportunities arise during her time as Mary from Dungloe, including turning on Dungloe’s Christmas lights, going to America and taking part in two parades in Philadelphia as well as traveling to New York. She also took part in ‘Turas Bothair’ on TG4!
“It’s been an amazing experience and it’s opened so many doors,” she said.
Reigning Mary from Dungloe Eva Ni Dhoibhlinn catching up with 1967 Mary from Dungloe Celine Powell
The first ever Mary from Dungloe, crowned in 1967, was Celine Powell. She explained that she heard of the festival through her boss at the time, Terry Sweeney, and he told her about the hit song ‘Mary from Dungloe’ by Emmet Spiceland.
“He told me the story and it impressed me and I was still very nervous going but I entered and there were two heats and a final in Dublin.
“And then the rest is history, I came to Dungloe and I’m coming here for fifty years now and I love it!”
When asked if she would recommend for young girls to enter the Mary from Dungloe competition she replied “oh my God yes, you’ll have such a time for that week, they’re like princesses, everybody looks after them and they will have lovely memories.”
Don’t forget to like Donegal Daily’s Facebook page to catch our live-stream of the Crowning Cabaret!
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