By Dionne Meehan
LETTERKENNY woman Clare O’Donnell is following in her aunt’s footsteps as she prepares to represent Donegal in this year’s Mary from Dungloe International Arts Festival.
Inspired by her aunt Siobhan McDaid who held the same title in 1984, the Lurgybrack native went into the competition hoping history would repeat itself.
Speaking following the selection event held last Saturday, Clare, who is the daughter of Iris and Gerard O’Donnell, said she was shocked and emotional when her name was announced.
“I was really proud of myself for putting myself out there,” she said.
“I am really excited about this opportunity.
“I wasn’t expecting it, all the girls were fantastic.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to be the three judges having to choose between us.”
Excited that she will one day have the same fond memories as her aunt, Clare said that is what makes this experience “ten times better”.
“She still has all her pictures, all of her dresses and her sash,” Clare said.
Already having huge support from her family, Clare’s auntie Siobhan has described the past week as being a “walk down memory lane”.
And if you rewind 40 years, it was Siobhan in her position.
Approached at random during a night out in the Grill, Siobhan was asked if she would enter into the running for Donegal Mary.
And much like she encouraged Clare, her aunt encouraged her.
“I said okay but I never thought that I was going to win the competition,” Siobhan recalled.
“I encouraged Clare to do this because I know she will enjoy every minute of this experience.
“It is just a beautiful experience,” she said.
Bursting with excitement when Clare was selected to represent Donegal in this year’s competition, Siobhan pledged that she will be
with her niece along the way.
“I will be there every step of the way.
“I will be making that journey again and I will be going down to Dungloe too.
“For me, it will just be like going back in time again,” she said.
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