When the Mary from Dungloe Festival started in 1967, I was just five years old and you could say I grew up with it. It was our only opportunity to go to the fun fair so it was the highlight of our year. Every year McGurk's fair came to the town and stayed for the duration of the festival.

You can imagine the enjoyment we got as children, riding in the bumping cars and the swing boats. The final Sunday was always the biggest day with the floats full of great creations and colours. As I grew older the Festival got bigger and better. I always wanted to be involved in the Festival and in 1985 I got my chance when Pat Nora asked me and my band to provide the first street music during the. introduction of the Marys.

Since 1985 we've graduated from the street to the Dome and now we perform for three nights. The Festival has become truly International with participants from all over the world. People come from America, Canada and as far away as Australia and New Zealand for the Mary From Dungloe International Festival. I owe a lot to the Festival Committee for giving me that first opportunity. I'm sure that all of you who choose to spend your holidays around Dungloe during the Festival will experience the warmth of the people and the beauty of the countryside that I call 'Heaven'