London Mary Eva O’Sullivan has officially been crowned the 2026 Mary from Dungloe.
The 21-year-old was presented with the Gay Byrne Perpetual Crown by 2025 ‘Mary’ Ellie Ward during Sunday night’s sparkling crowning ceremony in Dungloe.
Eva has strong Donegal connections through her grandparents, who are from Gortahork.
Eva used her stage interview to raise awareness of organ donation, a subject which is deeply personal to her family.
Speaking to Daniel O’Donnell on stage, she revealed that her brother received a kidney from her uncle’s wife around four years ago.
“We are forever grateful to her for giving this amazing gift of life,” Eva said.
“The difference it has made to my brother’s quality of life is just amazing, and it’s enabled him to live his teenage years to the fullest.”
Eva said one of the most effective ways to raise awareness of organ donation was through open conversations.
“You never know when it may resonate with someone, or someone may need someone or know someone who may need an organ,” she said.
“It’s just great to spread awareness of it, and you never know, someone could make such a difference to another person’s life like it has done to my brother.”
Eva added that her family is part of a buddy system which supports other families going through similar experiences.
“We can talk to other families going through a similar thing, just be that support and share our experience,” she said.
“It could just really help others go through the same thing.”
Eva O’Sullivan during her on-stage interview with Daniel O’Donnell at the 2026 Mary From Dungloe crowning ceremony.
Eva is training to become a primary school teacher and has one year remaining in her studies at St Mary’s University in Twickenham.
She currently works in a school four days a week and attends university one day a week, an arrangement which allows her to bring what she learns directly into the classroom.
Eva said teaching was a career she had always wanted to pursue.
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“I’ve always wanted to be a primary school teacher and I just love supporting the children, helping them reach their full potential,” she said.
“No two days are the same. The children give me great laughs every day and I just absolutely love it.”
Eva also leads the choir and orchestra at the school where she works and said it was rewarding to see children develop confidence through music.
“I’m very passionate about music and it’s so lovely to see the children thrive in something outside of the classroom and just really show off their skills and their talents,” she said.
“It’s my favourite time of the week doing choir and orchestra rehearsals because I just love seeing the children shine.”
Traditional Irish music has played a major role in Eva’s life from a young age.
She plays the concertina, flute and tin whistle and was crowned the All-Britain Concertina Champion in 2023.
Eva told Daniel that she grew up surrounded by Irish music, with both her father and grandfather playing.
“I think that’s where my love really came from,” she said.
Eva’s delight after being named the 2026 Mary from Dungloe.
Eva has also taught traditional Irish music to children for around three years.
“I love seeing children develop the same love of Irish music which I did,” she said.
“It’s not all about the music. It’s about seeing the children develop their confidence, make lifelong friendships and just have real good fun.”
As part of her musical performance, Eva played “Eleanor Plunkett”, a favourite tune of her granny and grandad.
She dedicated the performance to her grandparents and in remembrance of Moya Brennan.
“It’s also a tune which was played so beautifully by Moya Brennan,” Eva said.
“I know she’s a wonderful person, a wonderful musician and a great support to the festival.”
Eva’s journey at the 59th Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival was sponsored by Crannull, Lead Generation in Construction and the Built Environment.