by Rachel Quigley

It all stemmed from the old boy meets girl story. You know the one that goes, boy meets girl, boy woos girl, boy asks girl's parents for permission, parents say yes, parents change mind, boy begs for mercy, parents refuse to budge, boy emigrates to America, girl marries someone else.

You mean you haven't heard that story? Well that, in a nutshell, is the story about Mary from Dungloe, and the famous festival, which is now in its 41st year, will take place from Saturday July 26 - Monday August 4 this year.

The festival takes its name from the famous song, which was inspired by the infamous Mary Gallagher from, yep you've guessed it, Dungloe.

When Mary's parents refused to let her suitor (a man from Gweedore whose name is unknown) marry her, the couple's heartbreak inspired local stonemason come composer Padraig MacCumhaill to write the balled "Mary from near Dungloe".

Described as having a "perfect slim figure, slightly tanned complexion, bright blue eyes and well attended blonde hair", Mary Gallagher was said to have always "stood out". In addition to all this, we are given to understand that she was six feet tall and was always immaculately dressed. Big shoes to fill then.

Well its exactly these shoes that a selection of hopefuls try to fill year after year at the internationally renowned Mary from Dungloe festival.

The festival is centred around a pageant to find out which contestant has the spirit of the festival, who is then crowned "Mary From Dungloe".

The winner of the contest holds this title for a year and acts as an ambassador for the festival. Irish emigrant communities from around the world as well as some Irish counties and towns participate by nominating a young woman, endearingly titled a "Mary", to represent their community at the contest.

Previous Marys have been from Derry, Donegal, Manchester, New York, Spain, Melbourne and Manchester. Last year's winner was Kerry Sweeney from Edinburgh.

Lisa Mc Kelvey won the competition in 2004 and her win was particularly special owing to the fact Lisa is actually from Dungloe.

Speaking to the Chronicle last week, Lisa said, "When they announced that I had won it, the roof practically lifted.

Because it was a home crowd, everyone was rooting for me. It was such a great feeling, I was really pleased, especially because my mum and dad were so proud."

Lisa, now 24, was studying English and Politics at Queens at the time of the festival; "I could have went to America to represent the competition but I was doing my dissertation and was snowed under with work so didn't have the time.

"It was a shame but I had to put my studies first. Winning the competition brings fantastic opportunities, but even participating in it was great craic and a special memory. I'd encourage any girl to go for it."

Lisa now works for Highland Radio as a news presenter and said, although the competition didn't really further her career as such, it inadvertently helped to get her where she is today.

"Winning gave me so much confidence, I really had the courage to go after things. And I made really great contacts. I know it sounds like a cliché but I really did have the best week of my life and made lifelong friends.

"I would encourage anyone to do it, it is the experience of a lifetime."

Sadly, there has never been a winner from Tyrone as the county has never really played an active role in the contest in the past.

However this year, all that will change as The Fir Trees Hotel is hosting the Tyrone heat on Saturday June 15.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Johnny Kelly reveals his hopes to finally crown a Tyrone Mary; "Tyrone have never taken an active interest in the competition in the past so we are delighted and proud to be hosting the event this year.

"I have written to several businesses in the town, asking them to choose someone to enter the heat, I will be doing the same in Omagh and Dungannon.

"We are hoping to get 10 - 15 girls to enter and if she goes onto win the prestigious title, it'll be a huge boost for the county and hopefully raise our profile a little bit."

Participants must be over 21 at the time of the festival. This is a wonderful opportunity for any special young lady to represent her county.

So if you think you've got that certain je ne se qua, contact the Fir Trees Hotel for more information.

'I know it sounds like a cliché but I really did have the best week of my life and made lifelong friends.'