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Organised and supported by Ciarrai Beo, FAS, Foras na Gaeilge, this particular Rose has participated in the past 4 Rose of Tralee International festivals. She's todays representation of the language and culture that has been there for hundreds of years. With respect for the history, and acknowledging the past, and now standing for the Irish language and culture in todays modern society !! | ||||
Representing Meath, I flew to with Aer Arann, and landed into Farranfore just before 9am. The lovely Damien collected us, and was such so nice to all us 'cailini deasa' all day. We were booked into our rooms and sitting having breakfast in the comforts of the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee by 9.30am! That was some achievement for that hour of the morning! The interviews started at 10am, with 5 other roses. They were, | ||||
 Co. Chill Dara. |
 Co. na Gaillimhe |
 Co. Ciarrai |
 Co. an Chlair |
 Co. Mhaigh Eo |
We spent the afternoon into the early evening at PJ O Neills pub in Camp. An Cham is about 15 minutes out west from Tralee. This pub of its own uniqueness, culture and character is like a museum. It has great views of the ocean. The inside its full of interesting corners, crannies, pictures and portaits. Youd be confused as to whether youre in Bruff, The London Underground.. or even Kerry !!! Either way it was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The whole world of reality could pass us by there as we sat and sang a few songs, played a few tunes and had a few steps from Caitriona the lovely local Rose. (dont worry, I didnt sing!!). We were cutting it fine getting out of there and back to Tralee.... The big night in the Meadowlands was organised with welcome reception, dinner, public interviews and then music and dancing into the night. All the 'tentative' roses sat together, and had the honour of being joined by 2 previous rose Fodhla's - Maire NiGhiollabhain and Blathnaid NiNuallain. Once the meal was over, the excellent Padraig OSe took over. Kerrys own 'Paidi' hosts Togha agus Rogha on Radio na Gaeltachta (Irelands National Irish Language Radio Station) every week. He really was a great asset to what could have been an awkward nervous night... but nothing like a Kerryman to loosen the vocal chords. He had us all at our ease, up there beside him at the microphone. Its not every presenter will lie on the floor for the contestant to display her talent for pilates!! He tipped out a few steps while I was playing.. so someone was enjoying it !! I thank him for another 'moment in time' that made me happy to be home. Cliodhna was interviewed first, and really broke the ice with great entertainment and humour. I was wondering how I would follow it, but thats where the Fear a Ti helped !! Id like to thank Maire for singing Rath Chairn Glas na Mi; No Rose competition would be complete without the host having to remove a girls shoes, and thanks to Caitriona, the local Kerry star, Paidi performed his duty, and she danced a jig !! Sorcha recited the lovely Irish poem 'Teangmhail'Caitriona gave us a portrayal of something slightly more local to Achill then pilates, and with her tweed caipin told her a lovely scealin (story)! I of course played my fiddle.. my comfort zone !! Once the interviews were over, we had a chance to relax and really enjoy ourselves, throw a leg around the floor an a bit of money behind the bar !! It was well after midnight when the adjudicators returned with the 'elusive envelope'... cinderella was long gone home ! And then... Paidi made the announcement. I really couldn't believe it. Theres lots of action in that first minute, and I was also trying to believe it myself.. it's mad!! He announced 'Co. na Mi' first, and I love hearing that.. AS CONTAE NA MI.. ROS FODHLA 2005.. BERNADETTE NICGABHANN! Maire NiGhiollabhain, the 2004 Ros Fodhla came forward and presented me with the Tiara. We were honoured that he current Rose of Tralee, Orla OShea was present. She presented me with a beautiful bouquet of roses. Blathnaid NiNuallain and Eibhlin NiChoistealbha (both previous Ros Fodhla's) presented me with my Fodhla Sash, and a beautiful genesis statue of a magical celtic dancing woman. Its full of spirit and magic, and she seems to be settling in here in Co. Meath very well !! The night continued with photographs, radio interview and chats with all the lovely people who were present and congratulating me. It was a bit overwhelming, but an huge honour that people would honour me for something I have a love for and love doing.. Not a hard task for me to live our culture !!! | ||||
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I am of course still playing loads, I do believe people dont know that they need to see and hear more of our music and native language!!
I am still teaching Irish in Ashbourne Community School (High School).... someday they might speak Irish on the streets of Ashbourne !!!
Alongside that I'm looking forward to a very exciting year travelling wherever the wind takes me, or the humour takes me, or the culture takes me !! So if youve something going on, drop me an email. Its a far cry from my teenage years when irish music, irish dance nor the irish language were cool.. I am proud of the new found acceptance of our culture at home, the progress that has been made, and I would like to be part of and continue with that progress into the future.
So stay tuned.. who knows whats next ....
