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Belated celebration for Mary From Dungloe title-winner
Irish
eyes were smiling on student Kerry Sweeney as scores of her friends and
family joined her for a belated celebration after being crowned this year’s
Mary From Dungloe.
Kerry who lives in Edinburgh picked-up the prestigious title at the
international festival in Co. Donegal during the summer holidays.
But with all the comings and goings surrounding the win it was just this
week when well-wishers decided it was finally time to throw a party at
St. Kentigern’s Club in her honour.
The 20-year-old student beat off stiff competition from 13 other beauties
from America, England and Ireland to capture the crown.
She said: “I’m really thrilled that so many people have come
out to celebrate my win.
“I never expected to be given a party when I returned home to Edinburgh.
“I thought I had done all my partying back in Donegal. The whole
experience has been brilliant for me.
“I only ever went for the experience, I never expected to win the
competition.”
Kerry qualified to enter the competition because her grandparents hail
from nearby Cruit Island and have always told her about the beauty contest
which is held every year.
Now the third year Edinburgh University student is back in class working
towards a Batchelor of Education in physical education.
At the gala ball in Donegal over the summer Kerry impressed compere and
TV personality Marty Whelan and the five judges with her confident persona
and her energetic Irish dancing party-piece.
Her parents Gordon and Sadie, along with her 21-year-old brother Kieran,
were on hand to see her take the title, which brought with it a prize
fund of 11,000, Newbridge Silverware, and Waterford Crystal.
Kerry is now hoping to fulfil her first commitment of the year by turning
the Christmas lights on in Dungloe. |