All the Marys in Dungloe--that's Philadelphia's Mary second from the right, second row.
Emily Weideman didn’t expect to win when she entered the Mary from Dungloe competition last year. A program sponsored by the Philadelphia Donegal Association, Mary from Dungloe is a pageant open to young women of Irish descent who compete for the international crown in the town of Dungloe (pronounced Done-low) in County Donegal every summer.
But she entered, won the right to represent Philadelphia in Dungloe, and in the essay she shares below, apparently had the time of her life.
A little about Emily: The Montgomeryville native is an area coordinator for Holy Family University and holds a BA in political science from Arcadia University and an MA in global security from Keele University in Stoke-on-Trent, England. She studied in Dublin, Ireland while an undergrad and interned in Dail Eireann in 2004. She does volunteer work for the Irish Immigration Center.
By Emily Weideman
I was crowned the Philadelphia Mary from Dungloe back in November, 2008, so I thought I was more than ready to head off to Dungloe for the International Mary from Dungloe Festival in July. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for the experience of being a Mary. I can now say that I have fifteen amazing friends with whom I shared one of the greatest experiences of my life.
The Mary from Dungloe Festival in Dungloe, County, Donegal kicked off on Saturday, July 25, but it was the Introduction of the Marys on Wednesday, July 29 in the Main Street that started the week for fifteen young women representing many counties in Ireland, the six Northern counties, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bayonne, and Philadelphia. At the head of the group was the 41st Mary from Dungloe, Una Rooney, from County Armagh.
The sixteen Marys spent five days together traveling throughout Donegal, with stops at Glenveagh National Park, Gweedore, Ballybofey, Donegal Town, and of course many appearances in Dungloe. The Marys also made a quick afternoon trip to County Fermanagh to visit the Belleek Pottery Factory. We greatly enjoyed it—each of us was presented with Belleek jewelry as a keepsake of the week in Dungloe after the crowning on Sunday night.
A favorite stop for all the Marys was a visit to the Angle Day Center in Dungloe, a day facility for the handicapped. One of the escorts (all the Marys have an escort), Mark Gallagher, provided the music and the Marys spent the morning dancing and singing with the Angle’s patients.
On Thursday night, the Saw Doctors had Dungloe and all the Marys dancing away at their concert on the Main Street in town. The music and weather were fantastic. The evening culminated with the Saw Doctors joining local band, The FlyBys, on stage at the Midway Pub after the show. On Friday, The Fureys had the Marys and escorts dancing to such songs as “One More for the Road” and “My Father’s House”. Amazing music was also provided by Gary Gamble, Philomena Baddeley, Georgette Jones, the Glasgow Mary, Lisa McHugh, Daniel O’Donnell, and many other amazing artists all week long.
The week seemed to fly by and before we knew it, we were on stage Sunday night giving our public interviews. Questions included ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’, ‘What was your favorite moment from the week?’, and my personal favorite, “What exactly is a cheesesteak?” All of the Marys gave wonderful interviews and the party pieces were superb.
Finally, the Marys were on stage waiting for the 42nd International Mary to be announced. After a carefully designed pause by the Compare, Gerry Kelly from UTV, 25-year-old Kate Ferguson of Derry was named the winner. We were all overjoyed.
Kate is a trainee solicitor who lives in Dublin and just completed working with the Ryan Commission which was set up to investigate child abuse in Irish institutions. She is set to begin her final legal apprenticeship and once it is complete, will be a fully qualified lawyer. . .who plays a mean clarinet (she played the “Derry Air” as her party piece).
While all of the Marys were thrilled with Kate’s win, the true highlight of the week was sharing the experience and creating lasting relationships with one another. The group became very close and, along with Carol Kiernan, the Marys Coordinator, created lasting memories. We all plan to visit one another and we’re already talking about a reunion. I am sure that the 2009 Marys will remain great friends for a long time to come.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Philadelphia Donegal Association for the opportunity to represent them, as well as the City of Philadelphia, at this year’s Festival. It was an experience like no other and I will remember it fondly for the rest of my life. Thank you for all of the support throughout this year!
On November 28, 2009, the 2010 Philadelphia Mary from Dungloe will be selected at the Donegal Ball hosted by the Donegal Association of Philadelphia and held at the Commodore Barry Club. Young women of Irish descent and between the ages of 18 – 27 are invited to join in the evening by competing for the Philadelphia title and the trip to have the experience of a lifetime in Dungloe. For more information and the application, please visit the Donegal Association’s website, www.philadonegal.com.