A 1960s love ballad, entitled Mary From Dungloe, was the inspiration for this festival which attracts competitors and spectators from the US, Australia and Europe every year. The north west Donegal town will be introduced to this year's Marys tonight at 10.30 p.m. The contestants and their escorts will wine, dine and dance at the festival ball tomorrow night.

Judging and interviewing takes place at Carrickfinn Airport on Saturday from 10 a.m.

Visitors to the area may like to enter their daughters in the Little Miss Mary competition on Saturday at 3 p.m. Don't miss the Irish dancing and display of traditional Irish crafts at the La Gaelach today from 11 a.m. There are tickets still left for the festival dome concerts over the weekend, including Charlie Landsborough on Monday night. Tel: 075 21254 for bookings.