Woman in tears after conversation in Liverpool pub led to her dreams ‘coming true’14:26, 20 May 2026Updated 14:50, 20 May 2026Maria Boner, 22, will be representing Liverpool in the 2026 Mary From Dungloe International Festival(Image: Liverpool Echo)For generations, Liverpool and Ireland have shared family ties, humour and culture across the Irish Sea, and now a Liverpool midwife will represent both at a festival watched by thousands. Maria Boner, 22, is hoping to put the city at the heart of one of Ireland’s biggest cultural festivals after being chosen to represent Liverpool in a competition she has dreamed of entering since childhood.The Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival is a 10-day celebration of Irish culture, music and community spirit held annually in Donegal. As well as hosting a wide variety of musical, cultural, children’s, sporting, arts, and novelty events, at the heart of the festival is a contest where young women, endearingly titled “Marys”, represent different communities from around the world.Every year, the festival hosts 20 women from all over the world who have been nominated to represent their area during local contests before travelling to Dungloe to compete for the Mary from Dungloe crown.During the 10 days of the festival, the “Marys” tour around Donegal, get involved in various community and charity events, attend festival events with young and old, and spend their evenings among the Dungloe community.Rather than a traditional beauty pageant, competition judges evaluate the contestants based on their personality, community spirit, and ability to act as goodwill ambassadors for the festival and promote Irish culture.The winning “Mary” is crowned on the final Sunday of the festival andwill act as a goodwill ambassador for Dungloe as well as the city that she represents. The chosen winner holds the title for the year, receives prizes, travels globally to promote the festival and Irish heritage, and acts as an good will ambassador for the festival, Dungloe, and Donegal.Originally from Fintown in Donegal, but now living in Liverpool city centre, Maria said becoming a Mary is something she has dreamed of since she was a little girl.She told the ECHO: “I grew up around the festival. I went every year, and I idolised being a Mary, and now I am one. It’s very surreal and very special.”The festival, which began in 1967, sees women from cities around the world represent their communities during 10 days of events, interviews, charity appearances and celebrations before one contestant is crowned the “Mary” for the year ahead.Representatives travel from places including New York, Philadelphia, Dubai, Dublin and London, but this year Liverpool will have its own Mary for the first time in more than 10 years.Maria said becoming a Mary is something she has dreamed of since she was a little girl(Image: Liverpool Echo)Maria said: “During the festival, all the Marys get together. We travel around Donegal, get involved with small businesses and community events and make ourselves known around the festival.“The atmosphere is like no other. People travel from America and Australia just to be there for the festival.”Maria moved to Liverpool five years ago to study midwifery and quickly fell in love with the city.She said: “I thought I was going home after university, but I fell in love with Liverpool when I came here.“It’s become a home away from home. When you walk down the street, and you hear someone who is Irish, it makes you so proud of the community here.“I definitely feel like I’m representing both Donegal and Liverpool because I’m so proud of where I come from and so proud to live here.”Despite now calling Liverpool home, Maria said Donegal remains deeply important to her identity, and she is proud to represent the two places through the festival.She said: “You can’t explain Donegal until you’re in it. It’s insane. It’s such a special place.“I think Irish culture is still very strong in Liverpool because there are so many people like me who came over to study and never went back home. It’s important for us to keep that culture alive.”Maria first became involved after being encouraged to apply by staff at Molly Malone’s, where the Liverpool selection event was held earlier this year(Image: Liverpool Echo)Maria first became involved after being encouraged to apply by staff at Molly Malone’s, where the Liverpool selection event was held earlier this year and who are also sponsoring Liverpool’s Mary.She competed against eight other women by taking part in an interview process before being chosen by festival organisers and the current reigning Mary to represent Liverpool.She said: “There was tears in my eyes when I found out I was going to be Liverpool’s Mary. The first thing I thought of was my dad. A couple of weeks before, he’d asked me why I was doing this because it’s a bit out of my comfort zone.“But I wanted to do it for myself and because I knew how proud he’d be.“I rang him straight away afterwards. My mum and dad had no words. My dad is so proud that I can finally call myself a Mary.”Alongside preparations for the festival, Maria is balancing shift work as a midwife at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.She said: “Everyone at work calls me Mary now.“It is hard juggling both, but work has been really supportive. The good thing with shift work is I can plan around it.”Despite now calling Liverpool home, Maria said Donegal remains deeply important to her identity(Image: Liverpool Echo)Outside work, Maria has also launched an Instagram page to help promote Irish culture in Liverpool, support local businesses and raise awareness of the festival ahead of July.She hopes to work with Liverpool organisations, charities and independent businesses over the coming months.She said: “I feel like I have a role to promote this festival. I want people in Liverpool to know what it’s all about because it’s not very well known here at the moment. Then hopefully in years to come it will become something we’re proud to represent.”Maria also said she hopes younger girls watching this year’s competition might see themselves in her journey, just as she once looked up to previous Marys as a child.She said: “There are little girls involved now, and that was me years ago. I still remember sitting watching the crowning on television and dreaming about it. To think I’m now in this position is unbelievable.“It’s going to be such an amazing experience even to just be involved in this level. I’ve looked up to the Marys for so many years. If I did bring the title back, I’d be so proud to be the Mary from Dunlough for 2026. It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of.The festival begins on July 26 and runs for 10 days across Donegal, featuring live music, sports days, fashion shows, Irish language events and community celebrations before the final crowning ceremony.
‘Everyone at work calls me Mary now’ after surreal moment in Liverpool
