Mary from Dungloe International Festival Latest News
Mary from Dungloe International Festival – Official Opening 26 July 2008
The festival was officially opened on Saturday evening by Donegal person of the year Margo O'Donnell and was attended by a plethora of local dignitaries including former festival organiser Pat Nora Gallagher who assumed the role of MC for the evening. Sean Bonner, chairman of the festival committee, Pat “the cope” Gallagher TD, and Councillor Enda Bonnar also addressed the audience to give thanks to sponsors, organisers, and for the support of the community for the 41st Mary from Dungloe Festival.
Trisha Gallagher the new festival organiser spoke to thank everyone involved and to briefly explain this years festival program before Margo O’Donnell finally cut the ceremonial red ribbon to mark the official opening of the festival. In response to overwhelming popular demand Margo sang several songs to a very receptive crowd. She closed the ceremony with a rendition of the festivals signature song, Mary from Dungloe.
Also in attendance at the ceremony where the entire Festival Committee, Dinny McGinnely TD, and several other councillors; including Padraig Doherty and Marie Therese Gallagher.
back to top ^Dungloe Hospital celebrate their Golden Jubilee
Dungloe Hospital celebrate their Golden Jubilee on the opening weekend of the festival. The celebrations begin on Friday 25th with a special remembrance mass for past members of staff at 7.30pm in St Crona’s Church. This is followed directly by the launch of their Jubilee book in Ionad Teampall Chroine. On Sunday 27th July, the hospital will host a Garden Fete in the hospital grounds from 2 pm to 6 pm. A great day’s entertainment is guaranteed with music by the Flybys, Irish Dancers and Dominic Kirwan. Children will be entertained with Bouncing Castles, Bungee Run, Rodeo Bull and Goal Kicks while the traditional elements of the garden fete will still feature stalls for cakes, bric-a-brac, toys, plants, bottles and books with great prizes to be won. There will be an exhibition of photographs and refreshments will be served.
The hospital opened its doors on the 13th June 1958 which believe it or not was a Friday! The hospital has seen many well known locals as they first entered the world. These include Daniel O’Donnell, Packie & Denis Bonar, and Enya. The first of many Aranmore babies was Sean Boner, now solicitor in Dungloe.
Sister Peter was the matron in charge in the first year and the hospital has been lucky with their matrons through the years to the new and present ‘Director of Nursing’ Sue Islam.
When asked about a highlight for the hospital staff to date, they all agreed that having Sam Maguire brought to the hospital was a lovely memory. The fact that Tony Boyle, Manus Boyle and Declan Bonner were born in the hospital made it extra special and the patients were so proud of them.
The hospital was never officially opened, so after 50 years the staff have decided to have it officially opened in line with their jubilee celebrations. The official opening will be performed at the Garden Fete by Pat the Cope Gallagher.
All proceeds from the Garden Fete are in aid of a new outdoor recreational area for the patients at Dungloe Hospital. The staff feel it is important for patients “to be able to get a break from the indoors while still being in a safe environment. This area would be a pleasant place for them to sit and spend time with their families”.
back to top ^La Gaelach – indeed!
This years Mary from Dungloe Festival has a significant musical influence with street music each day and La Gaelach; a very special tribute to traditional Irish music on Thursday 31st July. The streets will be alive with the music of Monto at 2pm, Lisnaragh at 3pm, the Kathleen Boyle Band at 6pm and there is even a Ceili lined up with the McElhinney Ceili Band and the Clann Lir dancers at 4pm. Raidio na Galtachta have scheduled a live broadcast from Ionad Teampall Chróine at 11.00am while TG4 capture all the festivities throughout the day for their annual series Féilte.
The culmination and undisputable highlight of the day has to be the spectacular live performance of Sharon Shannon with her Big Band comprising Shane McGowan, Mundy and Dessie O’Halloran. The show starts at 9.30pm and is the only ticketed event of the festival so be sure to book in advance.
Sharon Shannon comes from Clare on the West coast of Ireland, an area historically steeped in music. She began playing music as a young child and began her solo recording career in l989 at the age of 21. By 1991 Sharon had completed her own album, which included tracks from Stephen Cooney, Trevor Hutchinson and Hot House Flower’s, Liam O'Maonlai. This album, a stunning cocktail of Portuguese, Cajun, Swedish, Scottish and French-Canadian influences rapidly secured a place in the history books by becoming the most successful Irish traditional music album ever released.
Mundy first emerged into the spotlight back in 1996 at the age of 20, having spent the two previous years busking on the streets of Dublin. Over the last decade, Mundy has been a constant live presence throughout Ireland and Europe, including countless headline slots around the country, as well as incredible festival appearances at Witnness, Oxegen and Lisdoonvarna. More recently he’s played shows with Lucinda Williams, Jimmy Webb, The White Stripes and Oasis in Dublin.
Shane MacGowan founder and former front man of The Pogues needs little to no introduction. In 1997 he appeared on Lou Reed's "Perfect Day", covered by numerous artists in aid of Children in Need which entered the charts at number one. He rejoined The Pogues for a sell-out tour in 2001 and again in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 for further tours.
Dessie O’Halloran a native of Inishbofin has always played fiddle and sung in a very unique style, but remained undiscovered until the 90’s when he met Sharon Shannon during a visit to Inishbofin. Sharon included Dessie on her triple platinum album The Diamond Mountain Sessions. Subsequently Dessie released his debit solo album in 2001 entitled The Pound Road which has now reached platinum status.
Sharon Shannon’s recent Irish tour with Dessie O’Halloran, Mundy and Jon Kenny was met with overwhelmingly positive audience responses and standing ovations every night. Add to this the Irish hit ‘Galway Girl’ earlier this year performed by both Mundy & Sharon this promises to be one night not to be missed over the festive period.
Sharon Shannon tickets are now available at €15 each. To book in person visit Books & Charts Dungloe or the Music Centre Letterkenny. To book by credit card simply call Storm PM on 074 91 02107.
back to top ^2008 Mary From Dungloe International Festival Programme Launched
The official programme for the 2008 Mary From Dungloe International Festival was launched in Ionad Teampall Chróine Dungloe on Monday evening.
The programme encompasses a variety of street music, children’s activities, water sports and community based events. With the official opening ceremony by Margo O’ Donnell followed by Bagatelle launching the street music programme, the festival promises a week of family entertainment and music for all ages.
The opening weekend also sees the Cope hosting a day of celebrations in line with the opening of their new sports store and the unveiling of a tribute statue to Paddy the Cope. Dungloe Hospital is holding a Garden fete to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the hospital which first opened its doors in 1958. An afternoon of entertainment is guaranteed for one and all with music by Dominic Kirwan and lots of children’s activities.
Monday – Wednesday are true family days with children’s activities running daily and street music every evening. Thursday sees a marathon traditional music session for the annual La Gaelach and the evening draws to a close with the headline performance by Sharon Shannon, Shane McGowan, Mundy & Dessie O’Halloran.
Friday sees the Marys on tour throughout the county and Saturday holds a varied programme of water activities, vintage car display and the annual Gala Ball, kindly sponsored this year by Randox Laboratories Ltd. - the new laboratories company setting up in Dungloe.
Sunday is set to attract thousands to the town for the annual carnival parade. The Crowning Cabaret in Ostan will see the selection of the 41st Mary from Dungloe while the Chevies entertain on the Main St before the winning Mary parades through the town.
Speaking at the launch, festival coordinator Tricia Gallagher thanked the press and the members of the local community for their support to date. Acknowledging the hundreds of comments from across the country regarding the festival being back in the Gallagher household, Tricia emphasised how festivals have changed since her Father’s years as Director but hopes that everyone will be happy with the content of this year’s programme on the basis that it is only her first year at the helm. Tricia also said she would welcome hands on help during festival week and hopes that the visitors to Dungloe would be made very welcome from the local community and festival committee alike.
Pat the Cope Gallagher also spoke at the launch and paid tribute to all the previous festival committees and stressed the importance of the festival to Dungloe. Mr Gallagher wished Tricia and the incoming committee every success and complimented the content of this year’s programme.
Former festival director Pat Nora wished the committee well and speaking from experience paid tribute to those who take on any part of the events during the festival. He acknowledged Ann and Jimmy Brennan for commitment and success of La Gaelach (Thursday 31st July) and Aideen Gillen for her hard work every year in coordinating the Féis. Pat encouraged all the community to come out and get involved with Tricia on her ambitious programme including the Sharon Shannon and Friends concert.
Sean Bonar, Chairperson of the festival committee thanked new and existing sponsors and all who contributed to the festival. The festival will open on Saturday 26th July and a full programme of events is scheduled for the 10 days, through to Monday 4th August. The committee are budgeting this year for an overall festival cost of approx €200,000 and it is anticipated that the local economy will benefit to the tune of €1million euro over the festival period.
back to top ^Randox launch diagnostic facility in Dungloe, Co. Donegal
Randox Laboratories are an internationally successful clinical diagnostic solutions company with an aim to continually improve healthcare on a global scale. To aid this endeavour, Randox have invested in a diagnostic manufacturing and research and development facility in Dungloe, Co. Donegal.
This exciting venture is supported by Udaras na Gaeltachta and will create 135 new jobs throughout the next three years. The new facility will allow the expansion of engineering and manufacturing of products developed outside Northern Ireland. This includes a new addition to the Randox portfolio, the RX Monza, a clinical analyser. A research and development team will also be on hand at Dungloe. These highly trained scientists will focus on new diagnostic solutions that will improve healthcare internationally by providing rapid and reliable diagnosis.
Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher stated “This decision by Randox, a world leader in the revolutionary area of diagnostics biochips, to locate a manufacturing facility in Dungloe is tremendous news for the area and the Donegal Gaeltacht.”
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories Ltd, said “We chose Dungloe for this expansion because of the high quality facility that was available, the highly educated workforce and the suitable infrastructure. We are excited about this expansion and hope it will increase the local economy’s success by providing a range of professional employment opportunities. We hope this will also aid in our mission to improve diagnostic solutions on a continual basis.”
To highlight this venture Randox are delighted to sponsor the Gala Ball at the Mary from Dungloe Festival on the Saturday 2nd August in Ostan na Rosann.
About Randox
Randox is an international diagnostics company, headquartered in the UK. Randox develop, manufacture and market clinical diagnostic products worldwide. Core products are: Biochip Array Technology; clinical chemistry analysers and reagents; quality controls and EQA; recombinant proteins and antibodies.
back to top ^A Night on the Waterbus Donegal Town
In association with The 2008 Mary from Dungloe International Festival
The Friends of the Rosses in association with the 2008 Mary from Dungloe International Festival are holding a night on the Waterbus Donegal Town on Saturday 19th July. The boat will depart Donegal pier at 7.30pm. Music and refreshments will be provided on what promises to be a great night. Some of the contesting Marys will also be in attendance. Everyone welcome.
Tickets are €30 and are available from Francis Gallagher (Killybegs ) 086 304 2647, Ann Marie Sheerin (Mountcharles) 074 9735433 and Ann McGonagle Meehan (Donegal Town ) 087 621 5513.
back to top ^Triathlon Details
