Tipperary man crowned Escort of the year at Donegal festival

​​There was a proud moment for Goatenbridge and County Tipperary when 24 year old Dean Keating was crowned Escort of the Year at this year’s Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival in County Donegal.

Dean, who hails from Goatenbridge, was escort to Cara Molloy from Belfast, who represented Edinburgh at the festival as the Edinburgh Mary.

The competition took place from July 25 to August 3 and was judged by well known broadcaster Mary Kennedy, while popular Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell took on hosting duties for the event. For Dean, the experience was one he will never forget.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience,” he said and he described the atmosphere and the events surrounding the festival as “heartwarming.” The annual Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival brings together ‘Mary’s’ and their escorts from across Ireland and overseas for a week celebrating Irish culture, music, friendship and community.

“The Mary from Dunloe places great emphasis on the Irish language and it is central to the festival,” says Dean who is studying the Irish language at third level. 

Dean’s success at the festival is another achievement for the young Goatenbridge man, who is currently studying for a Professional Master of Education in Irish and History at the University of Galway. He previously graduated from Mary Immaculate College in October 2025 with a First Class Honours degree, and his academic achievements were further recognised when he received two additional awards at his graduation.

He was also the recipient of a paid scholarship from the Irish department at MIC to undertake a Doctorate in Irish.

Dean hopes to pursue a career in lecturing after his studies. Throughout the event in Dungloe, Dean accompanied Cara as she took part in the festival programme alongside the other contestants.

The experience gave him the opportunity to meet people from all over Ireland and further afield at the event.

The announcement of Escort of the Year was a memorable moment  to end the week, with Dean receiving the coveted title in front of the festival audience.

For his family his achievement is a source of considerable pride and they are immensely proud of him.

For the 24-year-old Tipperary man, it was certainly an event he won’t be forgetting anytime soon, he told The Nationalist.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience,” Dean said, summing up the unforgettable few days in Donegal.