Clare O’Donnell crowned as 2024 Mary From Dungloe

The Donegal Mary, Clare O’Donnell, has tonight been named as the 2024 Mary from Dungloe.

Clare followed in her aunt Siobhan’s footsteps, who was the Donegal Mary 40 years ago in 1984.

Born and raised in Letterkenny, Clare is a 26-year-old Pharmacy Technician, having completed her studies at Donegal ATU in Letterkenny and now works in Brennans Pharmacy.

Clare will now hold the title for a year and act as an ambassador for the festival, Dungloe and Donegal. Fourteen ladies from around the world were selected for this year’s Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival and the winner will receive a hamper filled with goods from McElhinney's. This evening, Patrick Ferry was also announced as the escort of the year.

Over the 10 days, the participating ladies wore their various sashes, Caitlin Ward represented New York, Aine McGee represented Dungloe; Clare O’Donnell was chosen for Donegal, Birmingham’s Mary is Niamh Kerrigan, London’s representative is Kyna Boyle, Dublin’s Mary is Molly Part, Edinburgh is Kaylin Healy, Molly Gallagher was selected for the Wild Atlantic Way, Wicklow’s representative is Marina Boyle, Gemma Doherty will wear the sash for the United Arab Emirates, Philidelphia is Scarlett Catalfamo, Leah McDaid is the Gaeltacht Mary, Cavan is Orla Sheridan and Glasgow’s Mary is Mairead McEnroe. 

There were 110 events, including new ones such as the Big Day at the Bay, celebrating emergency services and the Food and Drink Fayre for local businesses. 

The newly-crowned Mary has a busy Monday, including making an appearance at the 62nd Meenacross Agricultural Show. Last year’s winner was Adele Morgan, who is from Glasgow and represented Dubai. 

The Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival is a community-based festival that has been held annually since 1967.

The crowning cabaret at Rosses Community School was presented by Daniel O'Donnell, who has been a long-time host and ambassador of the Mary from Dungloe Festival.

This year's judges are television and radio personality Noel Cunningham; General Manager of McElhinney’s Sandra Devenney; Sarah Mulholland, who is a Kincasslagh native and previous Mary From Dungloe winner in 1994; Highland Radio’s Greg Hughes and Crona Byrne, a relation of the late Gay Byrne from just outside Naas, Co Kildare, who describes Dungloe as her second home.