A photography student from Manchester who was once a champion bonny baby at the Mary from Dungloe festival has returned 21 years later to be crowned as the Millennium "Mary".
Shirley McGlynn (21), a student at Dun Laoghaire College in Co Dublin, lifted the title at the international beauty pageant on Sunday night ahead of 16 entries from around the world.
Shirley also scooped top honours at the festival's bonny baby show in 1979. In her stage interview with Daniel O'Donnell, Shirley spoke of her love for Ireland. The family moved to just outside Dungloe two years ago, but Shirley resides in Dublin most of the year. Her Manchester roots saw her selected to represent the city in the pageant.
The student, whose hobbies include cycling, belly-dancing and photography, gave the singer a few belly-dancing lessons to the amusement of the audience in the festival dome.
When the winner was announced, Shirley was joined on stage by her father, Hilary, and mother, Marian.
Afterwards the winner said she was shocked when the result was announced.
"All the girls were fabulous and every one of them worthy of the title. I'm really delighted at having been chosen but it just hasn't sunk in yet," she said.
Shirley, who had attended the festival on many occasions over the years, said she was looking forward to her year ahead.
"By all accounts I'll have a busy year ahead, and I'm really looking forward to it. It's a great honour for me to have been chosen to represent the festival for a full year."
A local butcher, Mr Aiden Maguire (19) was awarded a prize as the festival's best escort for the week, the first time the award has been made.