Louisburgh’s Edwenia wins Mayo Rose

ROSE BLOOMS?Mayo Rose Edwenia O’Malley after her victory at the weekend.Pic: Richard McCarthy

Louisburgh’s Edwenia wins Mayo Rose


Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie

Louisburgh native Edwenia O’Malley was crowned Mayo Rose 2013 at the Royal Theatre in Castlebar last Saturday night. Edwenia will now go on to the regional finals in Portlaoise this June in the hope she will be picked as a Rose entrant for the fifty-third Rose of Tralee Festival.
Speaking after her win, Edwenia said being picked as Mayo Rose was ‘a real honour’.
The physiotherapist and PHD student at University College Dublin decided to enter after her friend was the Melbourne Rose last year and her housemates and friends suggested she do it.
For her party piece Edwenia sang the traditional Irish song, ‘The Parting Glass’. Representing Louisburgh Ladies GAA, Edwenia is looking forward to the regional finals despite the pressures of writing her thesis.
“It’s still sinking in about Saturday but some friends are already booking accommodation in Portlaoise so I am starting to get excited,” admitted the Mayo Rose.
Supported by her friends, family, boyfriend and Granny on Saturday night, Edwenia said her Granny still can’t believe it.
“My granny told me she never thought she would have a grandchild a rose.”
Venue and Operations Manager and the Royal Theatre and the Mayo Rose Centre organiser,
Donnacha Roche said Saturday night was ‘probably one of the best selection nights’.
“It was fantastic, all 10 girls did a party piece and we had an impersonator at the interval. And it was great that last year’s Rose Dervla Kenny and Rose of Tralee Festival CEO Anthony O’Gara addressed the audience,” said the former Rose escort.
Judges on the night were Martha Galvin of Allure Hair and Beauty and 2012 International Escort, Brendan McNulty.
The nine other Rose hopefuls were Naomi Curry, Swinford; Samantha Gill, Knock; Sarah Grealis, Castlebar; Caroline Hosford, Ballina; Tricia Kay Hughes, Ballinrobe; Kate Leonard, Ballina; Charlotte Moore, Swinford; Tara McHugh, Swinford and Laura McShane, Bonniconlon.
The regional finals take place from Wednesday, May 30 to June 2, next.

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