Adele Morgan crowned the 2023 Mary from Dungloe

Adele Morgan has been crowned as the 2023 Mary from Dungloe.

Dubai’s very first Mary, Adele, who hails originally from Glasgow, was chosen as the judges’ winner and announced by Daniel O’Donnell in the Rosses.

With a Masters in Education from the University of Glasgow, her A-grade dissertation explored teachers’ perceptions of childhood and how they shape their teaching methods.

Adele is also a qualified childcare practitioner. Prior to her higher education journey, she excelled at St Margaret Mary’s Secondary School in Glasgow, obtaining Higher level qualifications.

Currently, Adele is a primary teacher at Sharjah English School in the UAE. With plans to teach abroad for two years, she aims to return to Glasgow and continue in education.

She is also a Girl Guide leader. Alongside her sister, she established her own unit in a disadvantaged area of Glasgow, providing a positive space for young people to learn and grow socially. From camping trips to local outings, Adele empowers the girls with valuable experiences and plans to obtain an international license, broadening their horizons beyond Scotland.

Adele has discovered a love for sign language. Building upon her foundational knowledge, she is becoming increasingly fluent and incorporates British Sign Language (BSL) and Makaton in her classroom. 

Since moving abroad, Adele has immersed herself in reading and joined a book club. Surpassing her 2023 New Year’s resolution to read 12 books, she is currently on book number 10, enjoying a variety of genres such as romance novels, suspense, and thrillers. 

Adele succeeds Caitlin Finn, who was chosen at tonight's gala crowning event at Ionad Spóirt na Rosann 12 months ago. Caitlin, who was born in London but grew up in Ballybofey, was a hugely popular winner.

Host Daniel has been a long-time host and ambassador of the Mary from Dungloe Festival. Seán Ò’Baoill from TG4, who streamed the event live, was co-presenter.

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

The judging committee was made up of Máire McCole, the first Dungloe Mary to win the crown in 1983; Celine Powell, the first-ever Mary from Dungloe, Passy Ferry, a long-standing supporter of the festival, Crona Byrne from just outside Naas, Co Kildare, who describes Dungloe as her second home and Greg Hughes, a presenter on Highland Radio. 

The newly-crowned Mary will have a busy Monday, including making an appearance at the 61st Meenacross Agricultural Show.