I see myself happy and content in the long run, having travelled around the world, being settled in my career, surrounded by family and friends and possibly planning a wedding-if I’m lucky! I also hope to travel and possibly go on an African mission in order to aid one of the deprived areas in South Africa.

Take everyday as it comes and live each day as if it’s your last.

The most recent has been attempting to head to the cinema and getting stuck on the Belfast M2 motorway. I could see the cinema and each time I attempted to come off the motorway via a roundabout I kept going back around the roundabout. This happened a total of three times before I eventually got off the motorway and finally to the cinema.

I will strive to do my best and take on the role with determination and to be as excellent as the 2007 Mary. I can promote the area of Dungloe with pride and enthusiasm, and would enjoy learning about the area and also representing the people of Dungloe. Most of all I would greatly enjoy the experience and take the best out of it.

that I could fulfil a childhood dream, experience the chance of a lifetime and also do my county and family proud as well as being able to promote Dungloe to the best of my ability. I feel that I would be able to strengthen the links between Dungloe and Armagh.

I want to leave the impression that ‘We have found Mary….she is great ambassador for  Armagh, a genuine girl who would be a great successor to become the Mary of Dungloe for 2008’

I would like to get my PhD in Marine Biology (paired with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business) and go on to have a very rewarding career in helping to protect and study the animals living within the world’s oceans. I would also like to see and experience as many cultures different from my own as possible. Eventually of course I want to settle down and have a family of my own.

To always live and dream with passion and to inspire others to eradicate negativity and ignorance.

Every day I have a new funniest moment, I have no problem laughing at myself, or life’s funny little moments. One recent one that comes to mind is form last night. I was at a friend’s house sitting in a chair outside by her pool, while getting bitten by mosquitoes. A bunch of us were talking about our plans for the rest of the summer. As I was about to say something I saw a mosquito out of the corner of my eye, and I wanted to kill it before it got the chance to bite me. As I tried to reach back in my chair to swat it I lost my balance and the chair fell over backwards sending me tumbling onto the lawn. I couldn’t stop laughing at my own absentmindedness.

I think I would be able to act as an outstanding role model for younger woman in the Irish community. I could bring the energy and passion that I live my day to day life with to the title. I love to get people excited, what is a life lived without truly enjoying it?

that I could continue to represent the Irish community, not only as a Mary in Ireland, but back home in the United States. It would be an honour to make my family proud as I continued to represent my heritage.

I want them to feel like they truly got to know me and everything I believe in. I want them to feel comfortable, like we’ve known each other for longer than a few days. Most of all, I would love for the judges to not be able to stop smiling once I leave the room.

To work with young children, especially those with special needs. I would really like to be a class room assistant working with children that have special needs because it is more ‘one on one’ with the children.

Deal with truth not illusion

When I was much younger, my mother and I went bowling - when I went to throw the bowling ball, I forgot to let go.

I feel that I have a special closeness with the area as my grandfather and great grandfather’s families spent their summer holidays on Owey Island. I thought of entering when I helped the Derry Mary of 2006 and attended the festival.

that I could help to reinforce the Derry-Donegal connection and this would allow me to gain even more knowledge and experience of Donegal.

I want the judge’s to know that I am a genuinely affable and courteous person who is able to represent the Mary from Dungloe Festival well.

I aspire to live a long, happy and healthy life and to have a successful career, achieving everything I put my mind to.  After I have graduated from university I would love to travel and participate in charity work in under-developed countries. As a career I would like to work with young people. I am, therefore, considering teaching for projects such as Youth Reach.

Everything happens for a reason and if you’re given a chance - take it; if it changes your life let it!

The moment that stands out the most is when my brother Patrick – Hugh and I were younger; we tied our babysitter to the tree in the back garden with karate belts. We untied her just in time as mum and dad walked through the gates

I have a pleasant, polite and friendly outgoing personality and I am a very down to earth person.  Also, I consider Donegal to have a lot to offer to a many people although it may not always be recognised for its extraordinary qualities. I believe I would excel at promoting Donegal, Dungloe and the festival given the chance of winning the 2008 Mary

I would get to meet a lot of people. It would also give me a chance to travel and promote the local area and the festival. 
I feel that winning the 2008 Mary would give me the chance and the great honour of becoming a role model for younger generation.

I hope the judges find me to be a friendly, approachable and self confident person.

To be the best I can at whatever I do. I see myself teaching PE in Ireland, and driving a nice sports car. Although, when all the fun is done I do see myself eventually getting married and having a family

Enjoy life.

Meeting all the other Mary’s and showing them the lovely area that I come from.

All sporting activities but mainly swimming and basketball. I swam the English Channel in September as part of a relay team of 6 and was honoured by swimming the last part, landing on French ground. I also love to travel and have been to Paris, Washington DC, Portugal, London and all over Ireland. My favourite destination so far is Washington DC because I have relations living over there and they take me to all the best places.

I love Dungloe, I know Dungloe and I feel I can promote it very well.

That I could show tourists what lovely beaches and beautiful scenic places we have. Not many people actually realise that we have them until they visit the area. I would also welcome the opportunity to set up more activities for adolescents and the elderly.

 “Now wouldn’t she be the best Mary we’ve ever had”

I aspire to be successful in whatever career path I choose, although at the minute I can’t quite decide what I would like to do. For the immediate future my plans are to finish my final year at college and join the working world although I do intend to continue my education with a Masters Degree someday. Beyond that I see myself travelling a lot more. I think I have caught the travelling bug; I would love to visit Jamaica, Hawaii and Paris some day.

A friend said this to me when I didn’t make it to the Rose of Trallee - “What’s for you won’t pass you.” I think it is a really optimistic motto and, like fate, I truly believe in it.

It’s hard to pick just one but a running joke with my friends and family is that I’m a ‘Malteaser’; dark on the outside but a blonde on the inside!

I feel I posses the qualities necessary to represent Mary from Dungloe with dignity and pride. I am confident, outgoing, ambitious and motivated. I feel that these qualities would help me be the best Mary from Dungloe that I could be and to appreciate all the experiences fully.

I could uphold the image of the Mary from Dungloe while getting to broaden my horizons and meet new people.

I would like to leave the judges thinking, ‘she was so interesting’, ‘articulate’, ‘honest and a joy to talk to’. In short I want to leave the judges feeling, ‘Wow, there goes the next Mary from Dungloe….’

To qualify as a solicitor, to reach all the far-flung destinations that are on  my list of ‘Places to Visit’ and to become the 2008 Mary from Dungloe of course!

You will regret the things that you don’t do more than the things you do.

Getting stung by a jellyfish, having a coconut fall from a tree onto my head and being badly sunburnt all in the space of an hour on a beach in Thailand. Funny in hindsight, not so at the time!

I am very proud to be representing na Gaeltachtaí in the competition. I am immersed in the Irish culture and tradition in my everyday life with the language, music and dance which makes me an ideal ambassador for the festival.  I am a confident person with strong communication and interpersonal skills. I would be truly honoured to accept the accolade and would endeavour to carry out my duties with enthusiasm and pride.

that I could pursue all the opportunities that the title would provide me with. I could promote the Irish language and culture and demonstrate that it is very much alive and well.

That I am a confident, ambitious person who knows her own mind and is not afraid to speak it. That I am very proud of my culture and heritage and that I like to promote it wherever possible. Hopefully as well that I have a good sense of humour!

I am a very ambitious person, and always have been. I will be commencing my Honours year at Strathclyde University in September and in a few years time I will be a fully qualified lawyer, if all goes to plan. Also, I intend to sit my TCRG and ADCRG exams in due course. Lawyer extraordinaire by day, dance teacher by night- that is the dream! I hope to be happy, healthy and successful; I just want to fulfil my full potential and be the best I can be.

Fail to prepare… prepare to fail.

A few years ago, I had no identification to gain entry to the Seaview Nightclub in Gweedore and also, no keys to get into the house. This lead to my cousin (who shall remain nameless!) and I attempting to climb through an extremely small bathroom window in the dead of night without waking anyone up! When we actually got into the house, we were met by a number of disgruntled adults- enough said.

I think I am capable of preserving the image of the Mary from Dungloe. I am confident; I could conduct myself in a manner which would be deemed to be appropriate for Mary from Dungloe.

firstly, that I could represent the city of Glasgow whilst learning more about my Irish descent. Secondly, it would give me the opportunity to act as an appropriate role model for the younger generation – which, in today’s society, I believe to be extremely important.

I'd like the judges to deduce that I am an intelligent, open minded, friendly and approachable young woman- attributes which I would deem to be essential to someone representing Mary from Dungloe.

I definitely see myself travelling in the future but I also want to set up my own business. I’m studying food science at college and hope to also study a master in nutrition. I aspire to help make a difference in the world in some small way, no one can do everything but someone can do something.

When life gives you a lemon, make lemonade. I believe that we should make the best out of every situation.

When I was in Boston last year, three of us decided to rent jet skies. We were being really cocky and going really fast trying to out do each other. My friend past me and boom she got stuck, I started to laugh at her and then boom I got stuck, and then the other girl was wondering what was happening so she came over and bang she got stuck! The three of us were sitting on our jet skies stuck in a sand bunker and no one could get us out because the tide went out too quickly. Three hours later we finally managed to get the jet skies out and sped back to the harbour. We were all laughing and joking until we heard sirens, the coast guard came along with a megaphone and asked us for our driving licences - the only thing we could say was “eh we’re Irish.” It wasn’t that funny at the time but when we look back on it all we can do is laugh!

if I were given that honour I would represent and uphold the title with great pride and to the best of my abilities. I would undertake any obligations that are asked of me with great enthusiasm.

that I could meet a lot of new people and have a lot of fun. Donegal really is a beautiful place with some of the nicest people. All my friends know how much I love coming to Donegal. Winning this festival will give me the opportunity to spread word of this fantastic festival that takes place every year in this scenic town in Donegal. It would also mean that I could broaden my horizons with all the opportunities that this contest and title would give me.

I would like them to see me as a genuine, friendly, confident young woman that has all the desirable characteristics of the next Mary of Dungloe.

Once I stop going shopping and learn how to save, I want to buy a ticket to travel the world making friends along the way. I want to achieve everything I possibly can in life; have a good career, earn lots of money and hopefully one day, find a fella that I can settle down with.

Life is too short to be worrying about whether or not something is the right decision - if you are thinking about it, you should do it.

I worked at a camp in America one summer and we told some of the children that one of the counsellors was the Prince of New Zealand.  They believed it for the whole summer and always sat near 'John Prince' from New Zealand at dinner.

I am down to earth, lively and believe that I will do a brilliant job of promoting Dungloe.  I have spent many summers in Dungloe, I have been stung by jellyfish on Carrickfin beach, partied at the ceili's at the college in Ranafast and bought sweets from Sweeneys newsagents in town.  I'm a Manchester girl with a Dungloe heart.

that I could promote the festival to others, particularly in the Irish community of Manchester so that they can experience the beauty and friendliness of the both Dungloe and Donegal for themselves

I think she was brilliant, Manchester Mary it is!

Occupation/Studying:Studying Fine Arts

I plan to go on for my Masters Degree in Art Therapy or Art Education after graduating from my current college. I also want to continue to travel and learn from different cultures. I plan to travel the world, learn a new language, one day own my own gallery, and spend some time with Habitats for Humanities.

When the odds are one in a million, be that one.

Some of my funniest memories are my summer days spent with my granny in Ireland, as she always says "there would be no fun if there were no fools."

I feel that I would be a good candidate to honour the title owing to my Irish roots.

that I could represent Dungloe and honour what the festival stands for, enriching my knowledge about my Irish culture along the way.

That I am outgoing, friendly, and would be a good candidate to represent the Mary from Dungloe festival.

To be happy and healthy, I have dealt with some health issues that have really made me think about life and what I really hope to get out of it. So as long as I have my health I have everything. I would also like to complete my masters, eventually get my PHD and work in the Study Abroad office on a small college campus.  I also would love to start a family of my own.

“Dance like no one is watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like no one is listening, Live like it’s heaven on earth.”  William Purkey

I was 10 years old and went to my mother’s work for Take your Children to Work Day.  I was making a copy and the copier got jammed.  I spent an hour trying to fix the copier by myself because I thought that I had broken it.  After I finally got it working I was so proud and went to tell everyone.  As soon as I left the room everyone started laughing at me.  It turned out that I had toner on my chin like a beard from fixing it.

I have a true passion for becoming involved and giving back to the Irish community. If I win the Mary I would be even more driven to give back to the Irish community and hope to bring more young women and men of Philadelphia into the Irish society and encourage them to come back to Ireland or become more aware of what is going on in Ireland.

Winning the 2008 Mary from Dungloe would be a dream come true to me.  It would be an amazing honour to bring back to Philadelphia but also an opportunity to get even more involved in my Irish Culture and learn more about my Irish heritage.

I hope the judges see me as a well-rounded woman with high goals, one that is extremely proud of her Irish heritage and wants nothing more than to learn about it and pass it on through her family and the Irish Community.

To be the best individual that I can be, to become a qualified beauty teacher, to maintain a successful career and hopefully some day to become a loving wife and mother.

Live everyday as if it was your last.

My family and I were returning from a holiday in Spain, security stopped my Granny and asked her where she was from; she replied ‘Dungloe’ to which he replied ‘what do you mean you don’t know?’

since I was a child I have spent many great holidays in Dungloe as my Grannies family have a farm in Lough Salt and it would make my family so proud if I were to become the 2008 Mary. 

that I could promote the Dungloe and the surrounding area as it has some of the best views and landscapes I have ever seen.  It would be a great honour to represent Dungloe.

I hope the judges feel I am a well rounded honest and fun loving individual.