By: Denise Foley

The 2005 International Mary from Dungloe, Katie Armstrong of Lansdale, right, with 2006 Philadelphia Mary from Dungloe, Brittney Lough from Darby.

The high point of her trip to Ireland to compete in the International Mary from Dungloe pageant was not the tour of Glenveagh Castle, the whirlwind of publicity events, or even the pageant itself, where she wore a stunning strapless black gown with a finely embroidered bodice. It was, says Philadelphia’s reigning Mary, Britney Lough, an 8-year-old boy named Cameron.

“We met him the very first Sunday we were there,” says Britney, a 21-year-old West Chester University student from Darby. “He was in a little group of singers and he came up to me and all the other girls and asked for our autographs. Later, I was doing a publicity event at a local market, and he was there. I heard this little voice say, ‘Britney’ and I turned and he gave me a stuffed dog with a little note that said ‘Here’s to remember me from Dungloe.’ His mother told me, ‘He thinks you’re the most beautiful Mary. You’re the only Mary he’s ever had a crush on.’”

Though the Mary from Kildare, Jennifer Halton, was crowned the new International Mary from Dungloe, Philadephia’s Mary thinks she got the best prize. “It was a trip of a lifetime,” she says.

In fact, Lough (pronounced “Law”) is scouting the Philadelphia area for other young women who might be interested in a free trip to Ireland and a chance to be some little boy’s first crush. You need only be of Irish descent and  between the ages of 18 to 25 to enter the local competition, sponsored by The Donegal Society and held each year to commemorate a young woman whose tragic love story is told in song. Though you don’t need any special talent, there is a talent portion of the pageant. Last year’s International Mary from Dungloe, Katie Armstrong of Lansdale, is a dancer. Lough, a budding photographer, did a PowerPoint show of her Philadelphia photos.

This year, the competition will be held on Saturday, April 21, at The Irish Center at 6815 Emlen Street, in Philadelphia.

“It’s definitely worth trying—you have nothing to lose,” promises Lough. “There’s no entry fee and it’s a really fun night of dinner, dancing, and meeting new people. I really didn’t know what it was about until I did it. I met all the other contestants and they were really amazing girls.”

In fact, like her predecessor, Lough still keeps in touch with some of the other contestants. “You really do become friends,” she says.

While in Dungloe, most of the Marys traveled in a pack. But for some events during the week-long celebration, they were split up. “The Cork Mary and I judged the Bonny Baby contest,” recalls Lough. “We had to pick the cutest baby from the 300 babies in the room. I didn’t know what to do. They were all so absolutely adorable it was hard to pick one. In the end we picked a little boy who was just about the cutest thing ever. He reminded me of my brother Brendan who is 3 years old.”

And the actual competition was less nerve-wracking than it was exciting, although Lough admits to some butterflies when the music accompanying her photo exhibit failed. “I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown on the stage, but I think it still went well.”

Her parents traveled with her to Ireland, but as it turned out, they weren’t the only ones rooting for her.  “There were a lot of people visiting from Philadelphia and they were really pulling for me. Dungloe is very small, so when you’re in the parade you go down the street, up the hill, turn around and go back up again and I could hear them cheering for me. Midweek I found out that people were actually betting on the Marys. Katie (Armstrong) and I tried to find out what the odds were on all the girls, but no one would tell us. But at the crowning ceremony for the winner, a couple of people came up and said, ‘I bet some money on you.’ I felt so bad but all I said was ‘Thanks for your support.’” She laughs.

“I really wasn’t upset at all that I didn’t win. I was just happy to be there,” she says. “The most important thing is to have fun, and I did.”

Interested in a “trip of a lifetime?” To become a contestant, go to www.philadonegal.com or send an e-mail to MaryFromDungloe@gmail.com.