One of the highlights of the Mary from Dungloe Festival is the annual tea party hosted by singer Daniel O'Donnell at his mother's home in Kincasslagh, County Donegal.
Daniel O'Donnell meets the fans at the Mary from Dungloe Festival.
Thousands of fans turned out in County Donegal, travelling from as far afield as Australia, to take up the singer's offer of a cup of tea and a chat. The open day has become a central feature of the Mary from Dungloe Festival.
Today was Lá Gaelach at the Mary from Dungloe Festival with a celebration of Irish music and dance. It is expected that over 80,000 people will attend the festival over the weekend. The festival's high point is the crowning of the Mary from Dungloe.
"An annual festival phenomenon which has grown to almost pilgrimage proportions."
For fans of Daniel O'Donnell, today was the real festival highlight. The annual Tea with Daniel event has grown to almost pilgrimage proportions with several thousand Daniel O'Donnell fans queuing up outside his mother's house in Kincasslagh for a cup of tea and a chat with the man himself. The tradition began about four or five years ago when Daniel invited a few of fans to call by. Every year since then, the queue has grown longer and longer. This year, six thousand cups of tea were served.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 28 July 1994. The reporter is Eileen Magnier.
