Welcome to the Mary From Dungloe International Festival

Although it only seems like one month since we wrapped up our 41st festival, we are now nearing the 42nd Mary From Dungloe International Festival in 2009.

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of everyone involved, to welcome you to our Festival website. I do hope you find it easy to navigate and that our programme of events for 2009 is to your satisfaction.

This is my second year to coordinate the festival events and I realise we have to be prudent with our expenditure. Our programme is very much “Community Involved” with lots of events based on fun entertainment with everyone encouraged to participate. Have a read through the programme and highlight what you and your family wish to participate in, that’s what the festival is all about.

Our festival programme has a variety of events to offer. We have tried to accommodate all ages and in return we ask for your cooperation with our stewards and Gardaí to ensure safety for everyone.

Music from Classic Beatles to traditional, the best of American and Irish Female Country singers, top Irish Country Music Artists, the Miami Showband, The Fureys with Davey Arthur and our headliner for the ’09 Festival, The Saw Doctors. Once again we pride ourselves on our “La Gaelach” (Fri 31st July) with the Main Street taken over for a mini Fleadh where Irish dancing, Ceilí dancing and traditional music and culture continues from 11am – midnight.

We welcome all our Mary’s to the 2009 Festival and hope each Mary will take home fond memories and new friends from Dungloe. May I extend a very special welcome to Una Rooney (Armagh) our 2008 Mary from Dungloe who will be our ambassador during the 10 day festival.

I would like to thank our funding bodies Donegal County Council and Fáilte Ireland, Randox Laboratories Ltd and all our sponsors, the local traders and those who work hard throughout the world to promote the festival and select Marys to represent them at the festival each year. I would also like to thank all the local people who willingly participate year on year in organising various community events during the festival.

I hope you take time to visit our festival this year and spread the word about our fantastic line up of events.

Tricia Gallagher
2009 Festival Co-ordinator