Fifteen ladies have been selected to represent various places at the 59th Mary from Dungloe International Arts Festival.
Over the 10 days, the representatives will attend events all in the run-up to the crowning cabaret, where the 2026 Mary from Dungloe will receive her title.
Last year, fifteen ladies were selected and Dungloe Mary Ellie Ward was crowned Mary from Dungloe at the annual Crowning Cabaret. This year’s festival is scheduled to take place from Saturday, July 25, to Monday, August 3.
9. Connacht Mary: Katie McClafferty Born and raised in Glasgow and now living in Crossmolina, County Mayo, Katie McClafferty will represent Connacht. Katie has strong Donegal roots through her grandparents from Mullaghderg and Creeslough. A graduate of the University of Glasgow with a degree in Human Biology, she now runs her own successful business, Nails By Katie. Irish dancing has been at the heart of Katie’s life since she was five years old. After competing for 16 years, she went on to perform professionally around the world with acclaimed productions including Rhythm of the Dance, Lord of the Dance, Irish Celtic, and Murphy’s Celtic Legacy.
Mary from Dungloe
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10. Dublin Mary: Caoimhe Bermingham Radio host and SET teacher Caoimhe Bermingham will represent the capital at the 2026 Mary from Dungloe. Caoimhe can be found performing in or producing musical theatre, learning the tin whistle, or training for her next triathlon. Passionate about fundraising, she has raised over €13,000 for Palestine and recently completed both an Olympic triathlon and a marathon in aid of Brain Tumour Ireland. A history and English graduate, Caoimhe has also created history-based running routes around Dublin to make marathon training more engaging and creative. A lover of Donegal, she has spent recent summers in Glencolmcille in the Donegal Gaeltacht.
Mary from Dungloe
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11. Edinburgh Mary: Cara Molloy Cara Molloy will represent Scotland's capital city at the upcoming Mary from Dungloe. Originally from West Belfast, Cara is passionate about Irish language and culture; she became the first fluent Irish speaker in her family and loves sharing that passion with her younger sisters. With a strong background in the arts, Cara has pursued a wide range of creative interests, from portrait painting and musical theatre to costume design. She is currently studying Performance Costume at Edinburgh College of Art and has contributed to several award-winning productions throughout her studies.
Mary from Dungloe
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12. Midlands Mary: Clodagh Doughty This year’s Midlands representative is Clodagh Doughty, who hails from Athboy, County Meath. Clodagh is currently completing a Logistics Apprenticeship with TU Dublin while working alongside her colleagues at Smith Vehicle Solutions in Cavan. Deeply passionate about the transport industry, she recently obtained her rigid truck licence and is looking forward to one day hitting the open road behind the wheel of an artic truck. Donegal has always held a special place in her heart through childhood holidays with her granny and annual trips to the Donegal International Rally.
Mary from Dungloe
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