Between now and 4 August, the Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival will bring ten days of cultural and community events to Dungloe, County Donegal. Now in its 58th year, this family-friendly festival, set in the heart of the Rosses along the Wild Atlantic Way, celebrates Irish music, dance, and heritage, culminating in the crowning of the 2025 Mary From Dungloe. Organised by a dedicated volunteer committee, the event attracts thousands of visitors annually, offering a diverse programme that highlights both local talent and the global Irish diaspora.
The festival opens on 26 July with a ceremony at The Cope Dungloe, conducted by John Bosco O’Donnell, featuring street music by Michael English and the Rosses Ukulele Group. Visitors can expect a varied schedule, including the Lá Gaelach, a day dedicated to Irish language, music, and dance, and a new Food & Drinks Fayre showcasing Donegal’s producers and chefs. Musical highlights include performances by The Irish Tenors, The Tumbling Paddies, and a Daniel O’Donnell concert, a festival staple since his debut in 1985.
Family activities include McGurk’s Fun Fair, a 5km parkrun, and children’s workshops like biscuit decorating at Wild Fuschia Bakehouse. Art exhibitions, curated by Heidi Nguyen, will transform shopfronts into showcases of local work, while the Claire Gallagher School of Irish Dancing hosts a Festival Feis. The Carnival Parade on 2 August and the Crowning Cabaret on 3 August, hosted by Daniel O’Donnell and streamed on TG4 Player, mark the festival’s climax, with the 2025 Mary chosen from contestants representing Irish communities worldwide.
The festival began in 1967, inspired by the folk ballad “Mary From Dungloe,” recorded by the Emmet Spiceland Ballad Group. A group of locals, meeting at Sweeney’s Hotel, proposed a “Mary Festival” to attract visitors from the UK and boost tourism. Their vision was to create a community event celebrating Donegal’s culture and welcoming the Irish diaspora, with the first Mary, Celine Powell from Dublin, crowned in 1968. The festival has since grown, incorporating arts, sports, and youth-focused events, and is now one of Ireland’s longest-running community festivals. Its emphasis on cultural exchange, particularly through the Mary From Dungloe pageant, has fostered lasting connections with global Irish communities.
The current Festival Director, Gavin Boyle, oversees the event, supported by a volunteer committee including Chairperson Crona Byrne. Boyle’s leadership has introduced new elements like the Food & Drinks Fayre while preserving traditions such as the crowning ceremony and Lá Gaelach. Visitors can expect a welcoming atmosphere, with Dungloe’s coastal setting and venues like the Waterfront Hotel enhancing the experience. The festival’s accessibility, with many free events and a compact town centre reachable via the N56, makes it ideal for families and international visitors. Whether enjoying street music, exploring local crafts, or cheering at the parade, attendees will find a meaningful celebration of Donegal’s heritage.
