Clare O'Donnell reflects on her festival journey urging girls to embrace confidence

By Tara McCormack

LETTERKENNY native and Donegal Mary, Clare O’Donnell was treated to a special homecoming celebration last weekend as friends and family marked her selection as the 2024 Mary From Dunglow in style.

Fires blazed at the town’s Cullion Road where neighbours and friends turned out to offer their congratulations.

Her selection as one of the fourteen participants at this year’s International Arts Festival marks the beginning of her ambassadorial role.

What began as a leap into the unknown has blossomed into an inspiring story of self-discovery and empowerment.

With newfound confidence, Clare hopes to encourage other young women to embrace similar challenges and realise their own potential.

Reflecting on her experience, Clare shared how unexpected the entire journey was for her.

Speaking to the Donegal News she said: “I didn’t really know what to expect. I followed it on Instagram and online in the past, but I would have always thought ‘that’s amazing, but it’s not something I ever in a million years thought I would do myself.’”

She admitted that confidence was something she always admired in others but never believed she possessed herself. “I didn’t think I’d have the confidence to do it. I always looked at the girls and thought my gosh, fair play. I couldn’t imagine doing something like that.”

Despite these initial doubts, Clare had an inkling to try something new this year. “It’s so funny because I knew I wanted to do something this year that was new and different,” she said.

“I wanted to join some sort of club to be part of a group. So I decided I was going to join a musical. Now, I cannot sing or dance,” she laughed. But what she sought was the camaraderie and experience that came with being part of something bigger.

In an unexpected turn, she received a message in February asking if she would be interested in the Mary From Dungloe festival. “I just read the message on my phone and I thought, this could be my musical,” she said, recognising it as the opportunity she had been searching for.

With her growing self-confidence, she decided to seize the moment. “I feel like in the last year or two, my confidence in myself has grown a bit and thought this is the time to do it.”

The support from her family was immediate and enthusiastic, especially when Clare learned of her own family’s history with the festival. “I said to my mum and dad that night, and they said ‘oh my god, this is amazing’. And then my dad said that his sister did it.”

Clare’s aunt, Siobhan, had been the Donegal Mary exactly 40 years earlier, in 1984.

This connection made the decision even more special. “I rang Siobhan to see what she thought and she said ‘I was just thinking about this last night, that it’s exactly 40 years since I was the Donegal Mary,’ so as soon as she said that I was like, I’m going to go for this.”

When Clare applied and went through the selection process, she was already proud of herself for taking the leap.

“There was nine other girls and you know what, when I went in to interview I was chatting to the judges that night and I said to be honest I’m so happy I’m just here doing this. Anything after this is a bonus because I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do it.”

To Clare’s delight, she was selected, a moment she describes as being “over the moon.”

The experience of the festival week itself was transformative. “All of us at the start of the week were nervous but to see how much we all grew by the end of the week was amazing,” she said.

The 26-year-old has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support she has received, both in person and through social media.

Many have reached out to say they would love to participate in the future, to which she responds with enthusiasm: “one hundred percent do it.”

Looking ahead, she is excited for what the next year holds. “I’m going to New York for a week in March. I’m walking in the St. Patrick’s Parade, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

Beyond the parade, Clare is eager to promote the festival and share her journey. “For myself personally, I really want to do more to promote the festival. I want to talk about the whole experience, highlighting my growth and my confidence and how I’m proud of myself. It meant so much.”

For her, the journey was about much more than just winning a title. “The whole thing meant so much, and then to win it was just honestly just a bonus. The whole experience was amazing, and I really want to share how it made me feel, and how it made my family feel.”

Her pride in her hometown of Letterkenny is evident, and she’s determined to encourage other young women to take similar leaps of faith. “I love Letterkenny and the support I have received has been amazing,” she said. “I want other girls to experience what I have, grow their confidence, and be proud.”

Reflecting on her transformation, Clare concluded: “A year ago, I thought there’s not a hope that I ever could have gone on stage and done that. But now I feel so much more confident and I really want to share that with other girls.”

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