A Donegal-born nutritionist has been crowned as the 35th Mary from Dungloe just two week's after emerging as the Gaeltacht representative for the festival.
It was a night of mixed emotions for Jolene McMonagle (22), from Falcarragh as she lifted the coveted title on Sunday night, just a few short years after her late mother Frances told her she would one day be the Mary from Dungloe.
The winner emerged at the festival's pageant from 14 participating women and proved to be a popular choice even with show host Daniel O'Donnell.
The fact that the crowning ceremony had to be moved to Ostán na Rosann due to a floor collapse in the dome did cause some initial problems but the event passed off successfully.
In her stage interview with Daniel, the recently qualified nutritionist joked that her professional opinion was that Daniel seemed in reasonably good shape and was obviously sticking to a good diet. When Daniel pushed her for some advice to change his diet and eating habits she replied "it's better not to fix what's not broken".
She spoke of her future educational plans, she is going to Dundee University later this year to study for a PhD and hopes to become a doctor. She also recently won a $30,000 scholarship to the US.
A delighted Jolene, whose hobbies include travelling, music and dancing, was joined by her father Cathal and uncle Pete, who travelled from New York for the event. The native Irish speaker told Daniel it was an honour for her to be even on stage representing the Gaeltacht. She has grown up with the festival and always admired the participating girls like all young Donegal girls do.
When the winner was announced a visibly shocked Jolene was joined on stage by her family and relatives as Daniel serenaded her with the ballad of Mary from Dungloe. Last year's winner Fiona Callan handed over her crown and put the 2002 sash on the new winner. Afterwards a delighted Jolene said she was totally shocked when the result was announced. "When I heard Daniel announcing my name it initially didn't register with me. I was in total shock. I'm just really over the moon and looking forward to what lies ahead. It's definitely a dream come true. All the girls crowded around to congratulate me but I just couldn't get to grips with what was going on," she said.
Jolene's joy was mixed with emotion as she remembered her late mother Frances who died of cancer four years ago.