Chicago Rose Maggie McEldowney crowned Rose of Tralee 2016 with host Daithi O’Se
THE Chicago Rose, 27-year-old Maggie Rose McEldowney, was crowned as the 2016 Rose of Tralee in the Dome last night.
Maggie revealed that her family history is very much steeped in Derry.
Her grandmother was from Maghera and her grandfather was originally from Draperstown.
Maggie was the first Rose on Tuesday’s live show.
During her interview with host Dáithí Ó Sé she spoke of her Irish heritage and her of golf and running marathons.
She works as the Director of Development for a Catholic High School and is on the Board of the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, a committee responsible for coordinating fundraisers that celebrate Irish culture.
Maggie takes over the crown from last year’s winner, Elysha Brennan, who was the Meath Rose.
Afterwards a shocked Maggie told Dáithí that she “can’t believe this is happening” and in a very humble acceptance speech said that “it’s just an honour to represent the sixty-four other women” before she was serenaded by country singer Nathan Carter.
Despite the winner have her roots in Co Derry, the Miss Derry Rose Eimear Cassidy missed out being crowned Rose of Tralee.
The 26-year-old is a ‘mature student’ and is finishing her degree in Communications with Public Relations at Ulster University, Jordanstown.
She hopes to pursue a career in business consultancy or training and development.
Eimear admitted to not being musically gifted (apart from playing the obligatory Kerry Polka on the tin whistle) but that hasn’t stopped her love of traditional Irish music and culture.
She loves getting to know new people and will pretty much talk to anyone.
During last night’s live show, there was no repeat of Monday night’s drama when the show was briefly interrupted by a protester. However, there were still plenty of stand-out moments on Tuesday.
Once again, the poetry-free party pieces proved to be highly entertaining including the Ohio Rose’s mastery of the hula-hoop (she even had #hoop trending on Twitter), some very random bouquet throwing by the Texas Rose and an epic bluegrass rendition of She Moved Through the Fair from the North Carolina Rose, Maigan Kennedy.
Derry Rose 26-year-old Eimear Cassidy
