Making memories at Mary From Dungloe 2025

Maria O'Donnell (Edinburgh Mary 2025)

BEING chosen as the Edinburgh Mary 2025 has been one of the greatest honours of my life. Representing Scotland—my new home—here in Donegal, where I was born and raised, made the experience even more meaningful. It felt like everything had come full circle.

I grew up in Donegal, surrounded by the magic of the Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival. Every summer, I watched as the town came alive with colour, music and community spirit. I always admired the Marys, never imagining that one day I’d be standing among them. Since moving to Scotland for university and now working as a nurse, my love for home has only grown stronger—so to return to Dungloe wearing the Edinburgh sash was a moment I’ll never forget.

From the second I landed at Donegal Airport and was welcomed by my family, I felt that special buzz only Dungloe during festival week can bring. That mix of excitement, pride, and emotion stayed with me throughout the entire journey.

I had the joy of sharing the week with 15 incredible women, each representing different parts of the world. They were strong, compassionate and deeply inspiring—each with their own unique story and pride in where they come from. It was a powerful reminder of how connected we all are despite our differences. Together, we bonded over shared experiences, supported one another through highs and lows, and built a sisterhood that reached beyond borders. The friendships we formed are rooted in respect, love, and strength—and I know they’ll last long after the festival ends.

Over ten unforgettable days, we immersed ourselves in Donegal’s beauty—its stunning landscapes, rich culture, warm people and cherished traditions. We visited local businesses, joined community gatherings, and experienced what makes this place so special. Our schedule was packed with on-stage interviews, meet-and-greets, and various events that kept us busy and connected.

While many moments stood out, nothing compared to the joy of standing on stage during the grand finale, proudly representing both Edinburgh and my Donegal roots. Sharing my talent with my Dad as we jived together was the highlight of the week—an experience I will treasure forever.

I want to thank the reigning Mary from Dungloe 2024, Clare O’Donnell, for her warmth, guidance, and encouragement throughout the week. She was a constant source of support and positivity, and I’m so grateful to her. I’d also like to congratulate and wish the best of luck to our newly crowned Mary from Dungloe 2025, Ellie Ward, who truly embodies the spirit of the festival. I know she will carry the role with grace and heart.

To my amazing sponsors in Donegal—Yoga liom, Morag McCafferty’s Art Gallery, Time and Tide, and Buitic Eilish—thank you for your generosity and belief in me. And to my main sponsors in Scotland, the Edinburgh Emerald Irish Social Group, thank you for giving me the chance to represent our Irish community abroad. I carried your pride with me every step of the way.

A huge thank you also goes to my family and friends for their unwavering love, encouragement, and support throughout this journey—I couldn’t have done it without you.

This week wasn’t just about wearing a sash. It was about celebrating who I am—someone with roots in Donegal, a life in Scotland and a deep love for both. It reminded me of the importance of culture, community, and connection. Being the Edinburgh Mary has truly changed my life, and I’ll hold these memories in my heart forever.

Niamh Brown (Glasgow Mary 2025)

GETTING the chance to represent Glasgow at the Mary from Dungloe Festival was such a brilliant experience from start to finish. I’d grown up with the festival, so to be part of it myself this time felt really special and pretty surreal at times.

The reality of what lay ahead was beautifully captured as my family, friends and selection centre gathered at a wonderful farewell party hosted by my generous sponsors Grace’s Irish Bar. The time had finally arrived to pack up my array of outfits and head to sweet Dungloe.

The week was packed full of events, and every day brought something new. From the moment I arrived in Dungloe, the welcome was warm and genuine. The whole community really goes above and beyond to make everyone feel at home, and it made such a difference. A big thank you to Claire and Richie for having us to stay at Lough Meela. They were amazing hosts and made sure we were well looked after all week.

One of the highlights for me was getting to meet the other 15 Marys. Everyone brought their own personality and background, and we all clicked really quickly. It’s not every day you get thrown into such a busy schedule with a group of strangers and come out of it with a bunch of new friends. We laughed a lot, supported each other through the big moments and just had a genuinely good time together.

A standout part of the week was the Crowning Cabaret. I had the chance to perform the Address Tae the Haggis and even better, I got to do it alongside Daniel O’Donnell. That’s definitely not something I ever thought I’d say! It was one of those moments where you just have to go with it, enjoy yourself, and take it all in. The crowd was great, and it was brilliant to bring a bit of Glasgow and Scotland into the mix in such a fun way.

Of course, being on the float during the parade was another major moment. Having watched it so many times growing up, it was a bit of a pinch-me situation to be on the other side, waving out to the crowds. It was such a buzz—the streets were packed, the atmosphere was amazing and it really hit home how special the whole week is, not just for those taking part, but for the whole community.

The festival strikes a great balance between tradition, fun and a sense of pride in where you come from. I felt proud to represent Glasgow and to be part of something that celebrates identity and community in such a positive way.

There were so many smaller moments that made the experience too—chatting to locals, enjoying the various events, late-night laughs, and just soaking it all in with a great bunch of people. The week flew by, but it was full of memories I’ll look back on forever.

Huge thanks to everyone involved in organising the festival and to everyone who made it such an enjoyable and welcoming experience. I’m really glad I got to be part of it. It’s something I’ll always remember.

I am thrilled to invite any young women, who have an interest in representing Glasgow in 2026, to contact me, Angela Medford or Breeda Ojo, who will select next year’s representative in March 2026.