Clare O'Donnell: ‘No matter who won, we would have all been so happy'

Clare O’Donnell is still in shock after swooping the title of 2024 Mary from Dungloe, a week that she’ll never forget.

The Letterkenny native followed in her aunt Siobhan McDaid’s footsteps as the Donegal Mary and took it a step further when crowned winner as announced by Daniel O’Donnell at the crowning cabaret. 

“I don't think it has sunk in yet, I am still in shock,” Clare tells DonegalLive. “Even being selected was lovely - but to win was the biggest bonus.”

Twenty-six-year-old Clare was born and raised in Lurgybrack and completed her studies at ATU Donegal is a Pharmacy Technician at Brennan’s Pharmacy.

At the beginning of the year, Clare was eager to get involved in a group and try something new - initially, the idea was a play or a musical. However, some things are just meant to be and Clare was scouted for Mary from Dungloe, which she saw as an ample opportunity.

“I decided to join a musical,” she says. “I wanted to have some team spirit, and I was all set to join when in February I got a message asking if I'd be interested in participating in the Mary from Dungloe and that was a lot more me.

“I contacted my aunt and she pushed me for it. I was hesitant at first because you're putting yourself out there but it was such a good decision.

“Winning means a lot to me - I am proud of myself. I have done a lot of building confidence and I love that I can always look back and know I did this. It means so much to my family too and getting to relive it from 40 years ago. I am very fortunate that both of my grandparents were there to witness it too. It is just lovely.”

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

At Sunday’s crowning cabaret, each of the ladies showcased a talent, and Clare stood out to the crowd as she acquired a new skill specifically for the event. 

Six weeks previous she began to learn Irish Dancing and did her thing on stage alongside Daniel on the night. 

“I'm glad as it gave me that push to learn something new,” Clare says. “I just thought if I am going to do this I'm going to do it right so I decided to learn to dance then. That's when I found out my aunt Siobhan had the same experience and history unintentionally repeated itself.”

Similarly, both of their best friends are Irish dancing instructors and both learnt Irish Dancing for the first time to showcase at the annual festival. 

“I am so proud of Clare, it is such a great achievement,” 1984 Donegal Mary and Aunt Siobhan says. “A worthy winner, she is so natural and she deserves it. She will be a great ambassador representing Mary from Dungloe in 2024. 

“I will never forget the five days I spent in Dungloe so I encourage her, that this will be an experience of a lifetime and friends for a lifetime.

“It was a lot different when I was picked, it is such an honour that I was able to represent Donegal 40 years ago and now Clare has gone all the way and is Mary from Dungloe 2024.”

However, 1984 was contrasting - with a total of 36 Marys competing and two in each room as opposed to 14 Marys in 2024 with seven in each room. 

“It was a fantastic experience and all of the girls bonded so well,” Clare says of this year. “It was so busy, but the whole week was so enjoyable, we had an absolute ball. It didn’t feel like a competition. No matter who won, we would have all been so happy for each other.

“The highlight for me is honestly being interviewed by Daniel O’Donnell at the Crowning Cabaret. It was the whole show, it was so well organised and enjoyable.”

The Mary from Dungloe International Arts Festival is a community-based festival that has been held annually since 1967. After the festival finishes, event organisers take a couple of weeks off then it's straight back to planning for next year. 

“I am going to try and contribute new ideas and get involved as much as I can,” Clare says. “I loved the experience and I think I will carry this with me for the rest of my life, so I would really like to make an impact.”