THE Limerick Rose Sinéad Flanagan has her sights set on Tralee as she competes in the International festival which is celebrating 60 years.
She sat down with the Limerick Post Show in the setting of the Savoy Hotel to share her experience so far from winning the Limerick Rose to preparations for the festival.
“There is so much to pack, people change twice a day for two weeks but I’ve great help,” she said.
The entire festival kicks off on Monday the August 19 with all the roses and escorts going on a tour of Ireland for a full week ahead of the televised show which airs on August 26 and 27.
Speaking about entering the Limerick Rose, the Adare woman said she’s always dreamt of taking part.
“It’s something I always thought about like most young Irish girls, always watching the Rose of Tralee and this year it happened to be in Adare, down the road from us in the Woodlands and it would have been my last chance to enter,” she added.
The Limerick Rose selection took place on April 23 where Sinéad landed the coveted title.
“There was 25 other amazing girls here in Limerick, its always been a great centre so it was an amazing honour to be representing everyone,” she explained.
The 27-year-old is certainly kept busy with her new status but she’s also a qualified physiotherapist and a doctor.
She studied physiotherapy in the University of Limerick and then went to UCC to study medicine.
“I’ll more than likely stay general medicine for a couple of years but infectious diseases is where I might see myself long term but not for a while yet,” she said.
Sinéad has met with a number of the other Roses at events such as the Galway Races but she will not know who her escort is until the tour kicks off in two weeks time.
The Rose of Tralee will be on TV on August 26 and Tuesday 27 in the Dome in Tralee and will be shown on RTÉ One with host Daithí Ó Sé.
To watch this interview in full head over to www.limerickpost.ie/show
