Portlaoise Regional Finals Video

Check out my time in Portlaoise!

Portlaoise - Rose of Tralee Regional Finals!!

Portlaoise Regional Finals 29.5.13 to 3.6.13

It’s hard to put into words the amazing experience I had during my time in Portlaoise. It all started at 5am on Wednesday morning when we finished packing the dresses into the car and set off for the Ferry. A smooth journey over to Portlaoise meant we got to the Heritage Hotel at about 4pm, just enough time to chill for an hour with my roommate Shannon, from Toronto, Canada, and then get ready for the first night. We were instantly treated like princesses being given beautiful jewellery pieces from Newbridge, then champagne and a beautiful dinner from the Maldron Hotel. The first night was spent just with International Roses, as Irish roses would join us on Thursday, and we spent the night singing and dancing away – a great way to get to know one another.

 

Thursday saw the Irish roses join us and wow did the noise increase. 63 roses in one room definitely made everyone know we had hit Portlaoise! First we visited ‘Educate Together’ a beautiful school in the heart of Portlaoise with children from all around the world. The school sang songs to us and put on a fabulous spread of cakes and sushi. It was great to get to meet the children from Portlaoise and hear what was important to them and what they loved most about their home town. We then went on to meet local businesses around Portlaoise, who were so kind in giving us gifts, we got a selection of make-up and toiletries from the pharmacy and a beautiful flower each from the flower shop, but again it was such a pleasure to meet with the people of Portlaoise and hear why they loved the Rose of Tralee so much and why they loved having it in their town. Thursday evening we went to the street party in the Civic Plaza. It was great to see so many local children come out to dance on the cobbled street with all of us roses. A great night was had but by the end of it my feet killed!! We then finished off the night by visiting pubs that we had been twinned with. It was lovely to feel so welcomed by ‘De Brun’ – they had even put our photos up in their window. The roses selected to go to ‘De Brun’ along with myself were greated by a local band who sang songs for us all night, and we were provided with drinks and food all night too! I was happy to climb into bed by 2am after soaking my feet in freezing water!!

 

Friday came round and again a busy day was scheduled in for us! The day started with a beautiful traditional Irish Breakfast, which I really enjoyed. Then I met the judges for my individual interview – which I felt went really well, they were really friendly and it was more of a get to know you chat than a serious interview. We then met the 2012 International Rose of Tralee Nicola McEvoy which was a fantastic experience and opportunity and I remember standing watching everyone making a massive fuss over her thinking wow imagine how that must feel. She told us about her incredible travels around the world, including going to meet President Obama!! We then left to go to MDA – a museum of embroidery and lace work which began in the heart of Portlaoise, they even had made white on white wedding dresses, they were simple but so elegant and beautiful. We left MDA to come back for dinner at the Heritage and then we went to the civic plaza for the opening ceremony. We were given beautiful roses by our rose buds and then heard speeches and a lot of balloons were released to mark the start of the regional finals and the gathering as a whole. Again so many local people came out to support us, and met us for a reception afterwards. Family also joined us which was great to see them giving their support! After we returned from the opening ceremony we help a rose bud party for all the young girls coming to the finals, they danced the afternoon away and we all had a fantastic time! The little girls were inspirational and so full of awe for what we were doing, most wanted to be roses when they were older, which was lovely! After the rose bud party we began getting ready for the first of the three selection nights. The selection night went so well, girls kept us entertained and put on a brilliant show.

 

 

Saturday was probably my favourite day for the day-time events. In the morning the group interviews began, we had to talk about three topics for around ten minutes each. We spoke about topics ranging from immigration to our favourite thing about ourselves. After the group interviews we had the morning to relax – except some of the girls who went to a football tournament! We then all met up for dinner at the maldron hotel and then went into Portlaoise where there was a Gordon Bennet Vintage Car Parade held for us! I was so lucky to get a beautiful British racing green coloured Bentley! Along with my rosebud and another little rosebud we drove all round the streets of Portlaoise, getting greeted by all the locals and my lovely family who had made banners and were all stood at the side of the road waving them and shouting as we drove by! After this we had a disco in the civic plaza where again all the local children took part, which was a lovely event. I was still overwhelmed by how many children were so excited for all of us Roses to be there, and there was such an incredible atmosphere. We then went on to our Twinned Pubs – so back to the lovely De Brun for me – all my family joined and we had a lovely afternoon chatting away and getting closer friends with the other roses, centres and their families. The pub were so supportive of us being there and always greeted us with drinks and nibbles! Saturday night held the second selection night, again it was really enjoyable and entertaining, and I didn’t stop laughing the whole way through! It was beginning to get clear just how incredible each different rose was and the incredible achievements they all had!

 

 

Sunday was the final day of the regional finals, and everyone was beginning to feel sad that it was coming to an end, the week had flown by! We started off by going to Mass, and had a beautiful service where the church children had given us lovely cards with well wishes and good luck messages. It was so kind to be welcomed into their church community in this way. As we were leaving church the whole congregation stood and clapped for us all as we left, which again left me feeling emotional at just how much support was given to us! We left church and walked just down the road to Dove House, who took us round their beautiful gardens and maze – although we didn’t get round the whole thing as it didn’t take us long to get lost! We left Dove house to go to a local hospital, and we met some lovely Patients who were so welcoming to us. They told me about their life stories and where abouts in Ireland they came from – one lady even knowing my family - such a small world! It was a great experience, as I love listening to the elderly as I am always so inspired by their stories! After the hospital we were again back on the coach, this time to the beautiful Castle Durrow, where we had photos in the gorgeous gardens, with champagne on entry! We then had an amazing three course meal, which left me completely stuffed and the dessert was definitely my favourite of the week! It was nice to get to sit and have a meal with all the roses, judges and centres in such a beautiful setting. From Castle Durrow it was back to the Heritage to get ready for the final selection night – my night. I had my hair and make-up done for me by the amazing powder room girls which was such a lovely treat, and the girls were extremely talented. I had an incredible time on stage, laughing and joking with Daithi and performing an Irish slip jig to the band. The audience and other roses were so supportive and made the night so relaxed. After all the roses had been on stage we watched a fabulous performance of Irish Dancing by a professional troup, and then heard speeches from the Rose of Tralee organisers and 2012 Rose of Tralee Nicola McEvoy. It was inspiring to hear how much she had done with her year, as well as working full time still, and definitely gave me ideas of things I want to do during my year as the Nottingham Rose.

 

 

 

I had the most unbelievable time and it is definitely one I will never forget. I have met some of the most amazing, beautiful girls that I can now call some of my best friends and nothing can beat that!

Hayward House Benefit Dance

11^th May held the Hayward House benefit dance. A dance to raise money for the hospice which is situated within the City Hospital grounds. There was a Raffle, Auction of Promises, music by Ged Dowling, an Irish dance performance by myself and lots of dancing by all who attended. Although there was a slow start in attendees it seemed to pick up as the night went on and there was a great atmosphere by the end of the evening. £1200 was raised for Hayward House, a charity that is very close to my heart, and I was delighted to be asked to attend as the Nottingham Rose, so I wish to thank Mary for inviting me and for organising the evening.

BBC Radio Nottingham

On the 24th April, myself and Martin went along to BBC radio Nottingham to talk to Gareth Evans about being selected as the Nottingham Rose and what the year would bring. It was my first time on the radio, and I was so nervous, but it was so relaxed and I had a great time laughing along with Martin and Gareth. It was incredible to have so much support from the radio, especially with being the first time in 13 years to hold the rose selection night. Everyone I met in the Radio was so kind and supportive and it was made to be an experience I wont forget. Thanks Gareth :-)

 

Nottingham Rose Selection Night

Wow, what a night! Excellent organisation by Martin Dowd, Nicola Lynch and Niamh Mc Tague provided an entertaining and interesting night for all. There were eight of us taking part: Myself, Mag Hilliard, Clionadh O’Connor, Bernadette Grandfield, Vicky Henry, Katrina Crosby, Claire Donaghy and Laura Seaton. The interviews on stage flowed really well and seemed to catch the audience’s attention and there were three of us who did talent sections, Clionadh on the Fiddle and me and Mag Irish dancing.

It took the Judges over an hour and a half to decide but whilst they did there was a fabulous performance by ‘The full Shebang’ and after music and a disco by Ged Dowling. I couldn’t believe it when I heard I had won as all the other girls had provided brilliant interviews and were so lovely. I would like to thank the Judges: Mary Murphy, Paul Curtis and the Irish Post editor Siobhan Breatnach for choosing me as the Nottingham Rose, as well as the organisers and MG Renewables for Sponsoring me. I wish to also thank my family for the amazing support they showed for me on the night, as without them it would not have been possible. I am delighted to have been given the honour of being the Nottingham Rose and I hope I make Nottingham Proud throughout the year, especially during my time in Portlaoise!