Offaly 2011



Brianna Connaughton with Arlene Kelly c/o Offaly Express

Pictured above is Brianna Connaughton, 2011 Offaly Rose with Arlene Kelly, 2010 Offaly Rose.
From her comments at the Offaly Express, Brianna is her own woman - "When asked did she perform a party piece Brianna pointed out that she didn’t sing or dance, but that if there were any unruly members of the audience should could deal with them very quickly and easily! “You could say I have the gift of the gab,” joked Brianna".

Read more at the Offaly Express

VSO update from Clare Kamambettu

Clare, photo c/o VSO

A press release from VSO, the charity associated with the Rose of Tralee, relates the story of Clare Kambamettu's return visit to India.
It is a article worthy of your time. Here is an extract to lead you into Clare's report, “I have been to India many times but was really amazed at the level of work VSO are engaged in across India. I visited many programmes at grass roots level but still was able to see the amazing results achieved on the ground and the knock on effect this has in fighting poverty across India. It was really great to come back here with my Mam and Dad and see the other side to Indian life and the positive results organisations like VSO are achieving."

Come on Offaly





Pictured above are Clare Kambamettu (Rose of Tralee 2010) and Arlene Kelly (Offaly Rose 2010) accompanied by Conor Loughnane (l) and Barry Loughnane (r). both from the County Arms Hotel.

The search is on to find the 2011 Offaly Rose. Go to the Offaly Express to find out more, much more.
Don't forget that Escorts are needed too!

A Rose's duty

This is Mairead Conley, 2010 Rose for Philadelphia/Mid-Atlantic.

The pic is from the http://www.flickr.com/photos/irishphiladelphia/ account of Irish Philadelphia society. Go there for some more information about Mairead.

Laois launch

This is Bernadette Ryan, the 2010 Laois Rose. This will be one of Bernadette's last official functions as the 2011 Rose Festival looms ahead.

What was Bernadette launching? Go here, to the Leinster Express, for the full low-down.

On your marks.....

Clare, Daithi and Molly Malone

They're away. Thanks to RTE TEN, we know that Clare Kambamettu and Daithi (with a personal appearance from Molly Malone) have launched the 2011 Rose of Tralee festival.

Clare invites you

The official promo with Clare Kambamettu showing some of the highlights awaiting Rose contestants in 2011

And After the Rose Festival ?

Danielle McBurnett

What happens in the life of a Rose after the festival? Well, in the case of Danielle McBurnett, 2010 Arizona Rose, quite a lot it seems.

In the Chandler section of azcentral.com we find a lenghty article on the career plans of Danielle. Among other things, she will become the youngest nurse practioner in the US.

There's more at azcentral.com

Ever See An Escort Run?

Support for Women's Aid from Clare

Clare Kambamettu, 2010 Rose of Tralee, has issued a message of support for Women's Aid. A quote from the message "I for one, can say with certainty that without Womens Aid, its staff and volunteers, the world would be a much poorer place".

Read the full message at Women's Aid.

Sydney Rose goes racing

Louise Leninhan - 3rd from left

2010 Sydney Rose, Louise Lenihan attended the Rose of Tralee Race Day at Randwick Racecourse.

The Irish Echo has a great slideshow of the day.

Oh Daithi....

Daithi and Melanie - pic from the Herald

That wonderful newsie paper The Herald has come up trumps again. Melanie Finn, of that paper, has a very big report on Daithi - and the six women in his life.

Only six ?

Read all about it at The Herald.

Clare Kamembattu in a Rugby shirt!

Clare Kamembattu (Rose of Tralee 2010) attended a photocall to launch the new North Kildare Rugby jersey.

Go the Carlton Hotel for more.

Speed Dating for the Craic..

Pic :Gerry Mooney

Former Rose Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain

From Herald.ie we find this nugget about three former Roses. The three are Aoibheann Ni Shuilleabhain (former Rose of Tralee), Isabelle Green (Galway Rose 2010) and Martha Gilheaney (Leitrim Rose 2010).

The Herald.ie has a lot of info on the three Roses - go there for more..

Jessica Smiles

Jessica Adamson, 2010 Carlow Rose, has returned to the classroom following the Rose Festival. The Carlow Nationalist has a great piece about Jessica and the aftermath of the festival. May we quote '"The beautiful Jessica glittered in Tralee last week, making her a firm favourite not just bookies but with all those who attended the Rose of Tralee festival. “I’m shattered since getting back. Really, it’s been hectic ever since I won the Carlow Rose,” said Jessica on Monday. “I had an absolute ball in Tralee. It’s a shock to the system to get back to normal. It definitely is a bit sad that it’s all over,” she admits'.

Click this Carlow Nationalist link to read the full story.

Klassy Anne

Klassy Dress hire sponsors Roses each year, and document their photos at their website.

From their site we see Anne Sinnott, 2010 Wexford Rose, together with MC Daithi O'Shea.

Martha loved it

Martha with Robbie

Martha Gilheany, 2010 Leitrim Rose, had "the time of my life" at the International Rose Festival, according to the Leitrim Observer. The article reveals Martha's experiences at the festival - e.g. what was the highlight at Tralee? - "When asked about the highlight from Tralee, Martha didn't hesitate in selecting the parade. She said it was "magical," she described the sky, the atmosphere, the crowds, the colourful floats and most importantly her support as "extraordinary."

Martha Escort during the festival was Robbie Costello, the same Robbie who won Escort of the Year. From the Observer - 'Martha paid tribute to her right hand man, Robbie Costelloe who won Escort of the Year in the Dome last Monday night. She said he was a "gentleman and so funny, he helped me relax when I got nervous" '.

Read more in the Leitrim Observer.

And those 2010 Roses

Yet another load of pics of the 2010 Roses - go here - Ireland.com to see it all!

All the 2010 Roses!

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

This slide show is on the site Broadsheet - well worth a visit.

Floats like a bird...

Martha Gilheaney c/o Irish Times

No, Martha is not practicing her levitation skills, she is dancing a reel. Martha Gilheaney is the 2010 Leitrim Rose. This picture and article are to be found at the Irish Times.