Kildare girls Aislinn and Kathryn hoping to win this weekend

Two young Co Kildare women are hoping to win in separate beauty pageants this weekend.

Kildare Town native Aislinn McFadden (24) is a contestant in the Mary from Dungloe International Festival Final in Co Donegal tomorrow night. Aislinn is representing Dublin in the 49th annual event which brings 13 young women from all parts of the world to the town of Dungloe in Co Donegal. The primary school teacher is a member of The Silken Thomas Players drama group. She is sponsored by Best Western Dublin Skylon Hotel. Aislinn said: "Being part of this year’s festival means the world to me. I can’t wait to meet all the other Mary’s and get to engage with the community of Dungloe." She added: "In the past year and a half I have turned my lifestyle around and have become interested in being healthy and fit. "Having lost a significant amount of weight I have thankfully gained back all the happiness I had lost from years being over weight. "I now enjoy circuit training and running every week and love my new and active life. "It hasn’t been an easy journey but it has most definitely been worth it!" Cities outside Ireland being represented by a contestant include London, New York, Philadelphia and Glasgow. Other attractions during the Festival include a mini Fleadh with Irish dancing, Ceilí and traditional music and culture. Last year's winner Siobhan Dunn from Edinburgh will also be attending the event to hand over her tiara.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old student Kathryn Snell will represent Kildare in the 45th annual International Miss Macra Festival in Thurles this weekend.

A total of 22 girls from different parts of Ireland and abroad will compete for the prestigious title.

The event will represent a major economic and cultural boost to Thurles with a 1990s-themed disco in Hayes Hotel on Friday the 29th, a cabaret in the Dome, Semple Stadium on Saturday the 30th, and a banquet in the Anner Hotel on Sunday 31st of July.

Each contestant will take part in a range of activities and interviews over the course of the weekend which includes the traditional Miss Macra mass on the Sunday, which is followed by a macra/sports day which will be held in Clonoulty near Thurles.