Having a spin

Four Happy Roses c/o  Leinster Express

Once every year Portlaoise is the Rose Capital of Ireland as it hosts the Regional finals. Read a full article (Leinster Express) on the events and happenings during the Rose weekend. It's a fairly packed few days.

Pictured above are four happy ladies, from l-r New York Rose Anne-Marie Lynch, Leitrim Rose Niamh Flanagan , Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Rose and Galway Rose Anna de Paor.

All available at the Leinster Express

Lovely Leitrim

Niamh Flanagan c/o Leitrim Observer

“It will be an adventurous weekend, I will get to meet Daithi OSe and have a great laugh with all the girls,” she said. She said all the roses are like a “big family” at this stage". These are the words of Niamh Flanagan, Leitrim 2012 Rose, as quoted in the Leitrim Observer.

Naturally you can read all about Niamh at the Leitrim Observer.

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..

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.

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.

Leitrim Rose gets ready

Martha Gilheany, 2010 Leitrim Rose, is ready for the Rose Festival according to the Leitrim Observer. Just this week her itinerary includes "Tomorrow night we have a photo shoot with Daithi O Se and interviews with RTE. This week we fit in visits to Newbridge to sort out jewellery, we have lunch with ambassadors, visit Kilmainham Jail and the Guinness Brewery," before they move on to Ballinasloe, Birr, Banagher, Clare and Limerick. This Friday, August 20 the Roses arrive in Tralee, where the party really gets started. "It is going to get even crazier in Tralee, it moves up to fifth gear there," Martha explained. Each day is scheduled from 10am until 11pm with the judges watching their every move" - taken from the article.

Read more, a lot more, at the Leitrm Observer.

Martha gets good odds

The Leitrim Observer tell us that Martha Gilheaney, the 2010 Leitrim Rose, is one of the hot favourites with the bookies to take the overall Rose of Tralee title later this year.

But all is not plain sailing for a Rose. Poor Martha has had all of her jewellery and shoes stolen. How did it happen? Did she get them back? Read this article at the Leitrim Observer for the full story.

And what does she think of her being a favourite with the bookies? From the article "Martha said the bookies tips are "very flattering" even though she said "I don't know how they make them up." She said it is exciting to be hotly tipped but she won't be taking them too seriously. She said she is advising everyone "not to bet" on her as she does not want to pay them all back if she is unsuccessful".

More, lots more, at the Leitrim Observer.

Half Dozen Roses, Please

The Belfast Telegraph brings to us this photograph featuring, left to right, Martha Gilheaney, Leitrim Rose; Frances Rafferty, Belfast Rose; Jessica Adamson, Carlow Rose; Gemma Murphy, Down Rose; Lynda Kelly, Tipperary Rose; Bernadette Ryan, Laois Rose.

Go to the Belfast Telegraph to read more about Frances and Gemma.

Martha and her Wonderful FaceBook

Martha Gilheaney is the 2010 Leitrim Rose. She has a fantastic Facebook page - here is that link. With support like that shown on her page she should have a great time in Tralee later in the year.

Martha Makes it

Martha Gilheaney, the 2010 Leitrim Rose has qualified at Portlaoise and will be in the International Rose festival in Tralee in August. This picture, care of the Leitrim Observer, shows Martha with Tommy - her 92 year old grandfather. It seems the Martha is the first ever Leitrim born Rose!

The Leitrim Observer goes on to tell us of Martha's many talents - "Martha is best known for her outstanding work as a dance facilitator/choreographer at the Shaylyn Group which she established with her sisters Laura and Jane. 25 year old Martha has a degree in Business Studies with Arts Management and a diploma in Image & Fashion Styling. She plans to return to college in September to do a Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is no stranger to the stage as she has danced on You're A Star, appeared on Seoige and O'Shea and on the front page of the Irish Times. This will not be Martha's first appearance at the Rose of Tralee as she has previously performed with the Shaylyn Group at the Rose of Tralee International Festival".

The full article is here at the Leitrm Observer.

Leitrim's Martha

Here we have a Leitrim couple. Well, not quite. Martha Gilheaney is the 2010 Leitrim Rose. That gentleman on her arm is the Leitrim Escort - he is chosen to go straight to Tralee!. He is Jason Fox.

This picture is from Event Capture. Go there for great Rose photographs from all over Ireland.