Former Presidents, presenters and X Factor stars take a back seat… Ireland’s favourite Mary is chanteuse Mary Black.

The popular singer came out in front in a survey carried out by Her.ie and 7UP Free to find the nation’s favourite Mary.

The poll was part of a 7UP Free campaign to Irish It Up, and the traditional singer claimed an incredible 29% of the vote. 

Ireland’s first female President, Mary Robinson, took second place in the poll with 22% of the vote, while it seems our childhood fondness for former television presenter Mary Fitzgerald never went away – this Mary was voted into third place by the readers of Her.ie.

Mary Fitzgerald, aka Mary-make-and-do, was a fixture on young people’s programming on RTÉ in the 80s and 90s with her popular show ‘How Do You Do’. Fitzgerald claimed 20% of the votes cast. 

Fourth place went to another former President, Mary McAleese, with 12% of the vote, while actress Mary McEvoy finished in fifth with 7%. 

Not so popular, however, was another RTÉ presenter. Nationwide host Mary Kennedy only managed 5% of the vote, as did former X Factor contestant Mary Byrne.

 

Singer Mary Black is Ireland's favourite Mary

Ireland’s Favourite Marys 

Mary Black              29%

Mary Robinson          22%

Mary Fitzgerald         20%

Mary McAleese          12%

Mary McEvoy             7%

Mary Kennedy           5%

Mary Byrne               5%