Aisling Power, the Meath representative in the 50th Annual Mary From Dungloe International Festival, shares her special connection to Donegal

Meath Mary Aisling Power

Each ‘Mary’ will be introducing themselves on Donegal Woman and sharing their story ahead of the 2017 Mary from Dungloe Crowning Cabaret. This special anniversary event will be live broadcast for the first ever time by Donegal Daily, along with Jacksons Media TV. On Sunday August 6th, viewers all over the world can tune in as host Daniel O’Donnell announces the 50th Mary from Dungloe.

You will be able to see the live show online via Donegal Daily’s Facebook page, which can be viewed on your computer, mobile device and streamed on your television.

The Marys are taking part in a week jam-packed with wonderful events across Dungloe and Donegal. They have all taken time to reflect on the festival and tell us what it personally means to them.

Aisling Ni Aoidh, aged 18, from Navan tells us why being a part of this year’s festival is a dream come true.

The Mary from Dungloe Festival has been the highlight of my childhood holidays. Since I can remember I have spent my childhood holidays in Donegal with my grandparents Hugh R.I.P and Mary Mc Gee in Meenmore. We arrived at the end of June, my brother and I, glad to leave Navan and our daily routine behind for a few weeks.

We would wait patiently for the first signs of the festival, and with the arrival of Paddy the Swing Funfair in Dungloe we knew for sure the festival was starting.

We both participated fully in all festival events, I attended all the kids events,winning my first medal at a toddler race at the Supervalu Fun Day. We had the brochures covered in markers highlighting all the treasure hunts,nature trails,storytelling that we had to attend. Most days we ate in Doherty’s Cafe or the Cope Cafe as we hadn’t time to go home.

And now I have the opportunity to represent my home county Meath and be a Mary, its like a dream come true. This is a special year for the festival its 50th year and for my family.

I am so looking forward to my week in Dungloe, this time on the stage and I hope to do Meath proud.

We live in Navan and my brother Eimhin plays for the Navan O’Mahoneys Gaa Club. He is also a member of the Meath underage panel. Of Course I have half Meath half Donegal for the GAA matches.

At present I am working in Tully’s Bookmakers Slane a part time job for the summer.I am currently studying in St Patrick’s College Drumcondra,my subjects are English and Religion. My ambition is to go into second level teaching.

I can’t wait to meet Pamela Sheridan the Meath Mary who won the title in 1991,and of course Daniel O’Donnell as my Nanny is his biggest fan. My Nanny bought tickets for me for Nathan Carter when they came out and now I hope to meet him on stage!!

I am so excited to meet all of you in Dungloe and to make life long friends with the other Marys . And as it stated on past Mary From Dungloe brochures “Dungloe is a place where there are no strangers just friends you have yet to meet ” and that certainly has been my experience of Dungloe.

Meath Mary Aisling Power

COMPETITION

Don’t forget, this week Donegal Woman and Donegal Daily are celebrating the Mary from Dungloe International Festival with an amazing competition, click below to find out how to win three wonderful Irish hotel breaks and €1000 spending money.