Aaaaah everything's finally starting to settle back into routine after Portlaoise!
I never got around to showing you Ballyfin House Hotel, the place all the qualifying Roses were brought last Tuesday morning for photos. I completely fell in love with it!
Walking through it felt like strolling through a Jane Austen novel! I promised myself at least two rooms in my future house will be in the same style. A touch ambitious perhaps but hey, there's no harm in dreaming..
Ahoy there friends, family and fellow internet stumblers! I thought it was about time I got online and started filling you in on all the little adventures I've been having so far as an Irish Rose. It's all still only sinking in but I'd like to tell you everything while it's still fresh in my mind. I guess I should start off with the amazing weekend I've just spent in Portlaoise for the Regional Finals. To be honest even after spending half a day curled up in bed with my PJs watching reruns of Monk and Mock The Week I'm still only recovering from it. I don't think anyone would ever be able to describe in words exactly how the weekend went as it's genuinely something you have to experience for yourself.....but I'll try my best!
It all kicked off early last Friday morning when I rolled out of bed at an ungodly hour in order to clear up, pack up and spruce up for the days ahead. I'm fortunate enough to have a set of parents more enthusiastic about the whole Rose experience than many of the actual Roses. Needless to say said parents jumped at the chance of taking me as far as Portlaoise, if not for my own convenience than for the opportunity of filming my every move with the video camera they're slowly learning how to master.
It was to the Heritage hotel in Portlaoise we were bound...
...and I arrived just in time for the Rose briefing where all the Irish and International Roses (51 in total) got a chance to meet, mingle and find out exactly what was in store for us. The wonderful event organizers handed us all a name badge to fasten to our sashes (even though I seemed to have been rechristened "Roscommon" by many, for the duration of the weekend!) and we also got a time-table of events.
Our very first outing was an address by the Mayor of Portlaoise outside the Civic Plaza hotel.
It was an absolute scorcher of a day! I was painting on the factor 50 every chance I got (although looking back at my ridiculously shiny face in all the photos I'm not so sure that was such a great idea!) After the big welcoming we headed into the hotel for a light reception. Little girls (or "Rosebuds" as they were called) with their very own mini sashes came up to many of us asking for pictures and autographs. That was definitely one of the most bizarre and exciting things for me. I'll never forget the first time I was asked for a signature. It was by a small fair-haired girl called Emma. I spent a good 5 minutes on my haunches writing an elaborate note in her tiny pink notepad. When I finally stood up and saw the crowd of pen and paper clutching kids who had materialized from the depths of the crowd however I quickly realized I'd have to re-think my autographing technique!
My next stop was a visit to Emo Court, a late 18th century county mansion designed by a man called James Gandon (the same architect who worked on the Four Courts, Custom House and King's Inn) We were givin a tour inside the house and were told all about the history of the mansion and its grounds. It really was worth going to see and I'll definitely be returning for a second visit next time I'm in Portlaoise. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to walk about the gardens (the heat was beginning to be a little too much for a group of excited cailíní only just getting used to spending an entire day in heels!) but I'll definitely check them out next time!
Later that day, after returning to the hotel I checked into the room that was to be my unwinding cloister for the remainder of the weekend. When I got as far as my bed I found a little present from the hotel along with two Lilly O'Brian chocolates. It was so unexpected and such a lovely, lovely surprise! It might seem a small gesture but I was really taken aback by it and found myself contemplating what other little gifts the weekend had on offer when my new roommate strode in.
I was lucky enough to be sharing with Brioni Gallagher, the Cavan Rose. Brioni was a true beaut who could boast one of the most amazing voices I've ever heard (she was the lead singer in River Dance!) It only took me about three sentences to know we'd become good friends. Almost every Rose formed a special bond with the person they shared a room with. We helped doll each other up for selection nights, shared personal anecdotes, laughed at the excitement of our days and cried about the swollen feet we had to show for them. At the end of every event filled evening it was so good to have someone you could talk to and trust at your side to help you absorb and appreciate the thrill and buzz of the festival.
After we had freshened up in our rooms we were taken to the Maldron hotel where we had a lovely dinner together. I guess you could say the judging process started here as each of the Judges moved around the tables and introduced themselves to us one by one. There were different judges for the International and Irish Roses. I didn't have the opportunity of getting to know the International judges very well but the Irish ones couldn't have been any nicer! I never once felt like I was being judged at any time during the weekend. It was just as if I were getting to know some new friends!
We spent the remainder of Friday night dancing and singing in the Maldron and also a local pub. It felt like any night out with the girls. We all really let loose and by the end of the night we were much closer as a group. By the end of the night however we were all jaded and I had absolutely no qualms about hopping into bed as soon as we got back!
The next day was really fun. We had lunch in the Killeshen hotel and then went straight onto a vintage car parade that was being held in the town centre. Each Rose was put into a different car.
A local man called Cecil drove me around the town. The two children in the picture are Cecils grand-kids Megan and Noah. We all waved out the window at the crowds and posed for easily a good hundred pictures (my cheeks are still recovering!)
As soon as the parade was over we were all rushed off to visit some local pubs. The Roses were split into groups and sent in different directions. I was brought to the "Welcome Inn" where we had a champagne reception and had a chance to pull a Guinness or two for some lucky locals.
The publican was really lovely to us all and gave everyone a cool little bottle opener as a gift before we left;
The schedule for the weekend was so packed that we didn't have much time at all to spend with the family and friends who had come to support us. Some of my relations from Kerry had driven all the way up to Portlaoise to surprise me and I grabbed the chance of meeting them along with Mom and Dad at the pub.
It was straight back to the Heritage we headed after the "Welcome Inn". The very first selection night was to begin that evening and we all had to be dressed and ready to go by 7pm. I wasn't too stressed about the first night as I wasn't on stage until the following day. After rehearsals I just relaxed in my bedroom until 6.30pm then slipped into my dress and fixed my hair for the night ahead.
At 7pm all the Roses assembled on the lobby of our floor. I felt like a fish out of water when I saw everyone dressed up in all their gorgeous gowns. Every single girl seemed to sparkle! There was such a great buzz about the place too. Camera flashes were winking from every angle, laughter rang through the air and the sound of 51 chattering Roses could have felled a small city! When every Rose had been accounted for we filed down the back stairs and strode one by one into the event room which was already filled with animated faces, mammoth banners and proud flags. The beat of the music and enthusiastic applause on our entrance passed through me like electricity. By the time I had reached my seat I couldn't wait for the show to begin!
The whole evening went brilliantly. Daithí O Shé did all the interviewing and each of the girls did their county's, states and country's proud!
Sunday was a crazy busy day for me. After breakfast I rehearsed the song I was to sing on stage that evening. At 10am all of us walked to mass in the town centre and I had my individual interview with the judges as soon as we arrived back. The interview was actually great fun! The three judges were really lovely, it was more like a 15 minute chat than an actual interview. Later on that day we had the group interviews. We were put into small groups and sat together on lovely comfy chairs while the judges sipped tea and asked us a few general questions. Again it was more like a conversation among friends than anything else.
Time absolutely flew on Sunday and before I knew it I was on my way back stage with the rest of that nights performing Roses. Kadee boutique in Athlone had sponsored my dress and I absolutely loved it! Despite the fact I bore a slight resemblance to a deflated disco ball due to an unfortunate incident concerning a pot of glitter, I felt great and couldn't wait to get on stage.
The lovely escorts and event organizers took great care of us as we waited for our turn with Daithí. I was 3rd last on the night so I was well set for a chat by the time it was my turn As I made my way to the stage all I could hear were the cheers and claps of my over-enthusiastic family and friends who were all drowning in a sea of blue and yellow flags. It was such an adrenalin rush being on a platform in front of so many people. The Roscommon Rose committee and this years Roscommon Escort Shane Lannon had also made the journey down to see me and I could sense all their support in the crowd as I was being grilled by the witty Mr. O Shé. I was kind of disappointed when it was my turn to sit down again though. The whole thing had gone far too fast!
Me and Paul my little dance partner.
Monday was our last full day together in Portlaoise. It was definitely the most relaxing day of the whole weekend. We had a little Rosebud and Mini-Escort party that morning with some of the local kids. Afterwards we went to visit a few more attractions in the area and spent the rest of the day taking it easy back at the hotel.
By the time Monday evening had arrived I actually felt very emotional. I really didn't think I could ever have had so much fun and met so many amazing people in such a short space of time. I remember thinking it didn't matter one bit if I didn't make it through to the finals as I'd definitely be down in Tralee in August to support all my new friends.
When it eventually came down to announcing the finalists therefore you couldn't imagine the shock I got when Daithí actually did read my name from inside the big white envelope. I jumped from my chair and hugged the air out of everyone within two steps of me. It's a moment I'll be revisiting in my mind for the rest of my life!!
There are so many more little anecdotes and incidents I'd love to share with you from the weekend but I'd never get this posted! It was absolutely swarming in funny moments that I could never do justice in words. If you've any questions at all though or if there's anything you'd like me to write about just leave a comment below.
All in all my experience in Portlaoise has opened up a whole new world to me. What people mightn't understand about the Rose of Tralee and what I certainly didn't fully appreciate before the Regionals, is that the festival is about so much more than a competition. It's about connecting a young generation of genuine, talented, like-minded people. It's about showcasing everything that's great about Irish culture and Irish society. It's about representing the people you love and the place you call home while having the most unforgettable time of your life!
So for now all I can say is roll on Tralee!! I hope I'll be seeing many of you there!
Aaaaah everything's finally starting to settle back into routine after Portlaoise!
Ahoy there friends, family and fellow internet stumblers! I thought it was about time I got online and started filling you in on all the little adventures I've been having so far as an Irish Rose. It's all still only sinking in but I'd like to tell you everything while it's still fresh in my mind. I guess I should start off with the amazing weekend I've just spent in Portlaoise for the Regional Finals. To be honest even after spending half a day curled up in bed with my PJs watching reruns of Monk and Mock The Week I'm still only recovering from it. I don't think anyone would ever be able to describe in words exactly how the weekend went as it's genuinely something you have to experience for yourself.....but I'll try my best!
Later that day, after returning to the hotel I checked into the room that was to be my unwinding cloister for the remainder of the weekend. When I got as far as my bed I found a little present from the hotel along with two Lilly O'Brian chocolates. It was so unexpected and such a lovely, lovely surprise! It might seem a small gesture but I was really taken aback by it and found myself contemplating what other little gifts the weekend had on offer when my new roommate strode in.
I was lucky enough to be sharing with Brioni Gallagher, the Cavan Rose. Brioni was a true beaut who could boast one of the most amazing voices I've ever heard (she was the lead singer in River Dance!) It only took me about three sentences to know we'd become good friends. Almost every Rose formed a special bond with the person they shared a room with. We helped doll each other up for selection nights, shared personal anecdotes, laughed at the excitement of our days and cried about the swollen feet we had to show for them. At the end of every event filled evening it was so good to have someone you could talk to and trust at your side to help you absorb and appreciate the thrill and buzz of the festival.
At 7pm all the Roses assembled on the lobby of our floor. I felt like a fish out of water when I saw everyone dressed up in all their gorgeous gowns. Every single girl seemed to sparkle! There was such a great buzz about the place too. Camera flashes were winking from every angle, laughter rang through the air and the sound of 51 chattering Roses could have felled a small city! When every Rose had been accounted for we filed down the back stairs and strode one by one into the event room which was already filled with animated faces, mammoth banners and proud flags. The beat of the music and enthusiastic applause on our entrance passed through me like electricity. By the time I had reached my seat I couldn't wait for the show to begin!
The lovely escorts and event organizers took great care of us as we waited for our turn with Daithí. I was 3rd last on the night so I was well set for a chat by the time it was my turn As I made my way to the stage all I could hear were the cheers and claps of my over-enthusiastic family and friends who were all drowning in a sea of blue and yellow flags. It was such an adrenalin rush being on a platform in front of so many people. The Roscommon Rose committee and this years Roscommon Escort Shane Lannon had also made the journey down to see me and I could sense all their support in the crowd as I was being grilled by the witty Mr. O Shé. I was kind of disappointed when it was my turn to sit down again though. The whole thing had gone far too fast!
When it eventually came down to announcing the finalists therefore you couldn't imagine the shock I got when Daithí actually did read my name from inside the big white envelope. I jumped from my chair and hugged the air out of everyone within two steps of me. It's a moment I'll be revisiting in my mind for the rest of my life!!
