Charmaine off to Malawi

We are grateful to the Leinster Leader for the latest on Charmaine Kenny, 2009 Rose of Tralee. You can read it here, or below if you wish.
"AS her first overseas engagement as Rose of Tralee, Athy's Charmaine Kenny, will travel to Malawi this month with the volunteer charity VSO in order to highlight the poverty facing the country.



Departing on a week-long trip on Saturday, November 21, Charmaine will visit local organisations in Malawi that address hunger and food insecurity amongst women and children. On her return to Ireland she will launch the VSO Christmas Fundraising Appeal.
Speaking of her upcoming expedition to Malawi, Charmaine said: "I've spent about six months volunteering in a developing country before and witnessed firsthand some of the hardships people endure.
"I am fortunate to have had a good education and many opportunities in life. It seems unjust that all people do not have these same chances, especially in poor countries like Malawi. I believe VSO is making giant strides towards improving the livelihoods of people living in Africa."

Where in The World is Charmaine Kenny?

Charmaine was to found in Kildare in October. She was visiting her first school, the pre-school 'Young World'.

A quote from the article in the Kildare Nationalist "Owner of Young World, Bridie Corrigan, had all of her pupils on hand to welcome Charmaine in only the best of fashions. The little boys were dressed as escorts while the little girls were dressed as princesses fit to be roses. They held handmade baskets (made at Young World) from which they sprinkled rose petals for Charmaine when she alighted from her pony and trap - helped by her attentive escorts, of course - and onto the red carpet." Bridie is on the left in the picture.

Go here for more of this story.

A Full History of the Rose

Here is a great book detailing fifty years of the Rose of Tralee. Packed full of photographs and anecdotes it's a joy to read. We don't sell it, but fully recommend T. Ryle Dwyer's book. Get it here, at O'Brien Press.

Washington and Fermanagh

Tara Maguire, 2009 Washington D.C. Rose had a great time at the 2009 Festival. You must read the Fermanagh Herald for the full story, but we can give you some quotes; "The parade was a totally surreal experience. Thousands and thousands of people lined the streets despite the wind and the rain, and greeted us. It was an amazing welcome and something that we will all hold with us for the rest of our lives. "We got to attend the Fashion Show of the Year. Not only did we get to see some amazing designs, but we also got to strut our stuff on the catwalk! All 50 Roses were on cloud nine".

Why is all this reported in the Fermanagh Herald? Well, Tara is a native of Derrylin. Read it here.

Cavan, Queensland, New Jersey

Ray with Rose Kelly O'Shea, Queensland Rose

The Anglo-Celt brings us news of the 2009 Queensland Rose. Rose Kelly O'Shea was eleven years old when she was last in Ireland. Like other counties, Cavan is proud of it's connections with the Rose Festival Rose's connection is with Drumcalpin near Butlersbridge.

New Jersey Rose, Genevieve O'Reilly has connections too! Her father, Tom, is from Shercock.

Read the whole thing at the Anglo-Celt.

Longford Well Represented

Former Longford Roses Grainne Fox and Ciara Kearney with Tommy Butler.

Although Longford had no Rose at the 2009 Final, the county had two of it's former Roses present. They were Ciara Kearney (2008) and Grainne Fox (2007). All of this information comes care of the Longford Leader. And of course Tomy Butler, from Longford was an Escort!

And if al of this is not enough, the Longford Leader goes on to detail many other Longford connections with the Rose of Tralee.

To be found here.

A Foot in Two Countries

The Kerryman paper brings us more news on Charmaine Kenny, 2009 Rose of Tralee. It seems Charmaine will be stretching herself in more than one way, quote from the article " 'I have one foot in London and one foot in Ireland. I don't know where I'll be from here on in,' she said ".

Read the Kerryman here.