I was having a think today about why I am a fan of the Rose of Tralee and why I always enjoy watching it on television. I think it is probably because it brings me back to my childhood and happy times watching the show as a family. I actually grew up in a house with no television so it got me thinking as to how or where we watched the Rose of Tralee (or ROT as I endearingly call it #ROT lol) and it started to all come back to me. During the week leading up to the Rose of Tralee, my mother would make arrangements for us to go watch it in either my grandmother's house or sometimes an aunt's house or other times her friend's house. I always loved trekking off to watching it in a house full of adults and children - it was always a great fun social night!
And so as an adult I continue to watch the show. Doing the modern day equivalent of watching it with others by having what's app conversations while the show is on with friends and of course Cousin Kasey who is fan too. My twin sister and I always hoped that Cousin Kasey would be the South Africa Rose but it was not to be.....ah well, her being a fan is just as good!
So look at this gem that Cousin Kasey sent me this morning - a Rose of Tralee programme from 1987, found in a curiosity shop by her mother Aunt Mary.
Off to the left on the cover of the programme, you can see Gay Byrne. He presented the Rose of Tralee for years. Other presenters that I can remember were Derek Davis, Ray Darcy, Marty Whelan, Ryan Tubridy and of course Dáithí O'Sé. I always like Marty presenting the event but I think that Dáithí is the best. He likes the Rose of Tralee so much that he even married one! His wife is the 2008 New Jersey Rose Rita Talty.
Ah sure you can't beat a pint of Harp and the way Sally O'Brien might look at you!
Look at this electricity ad! We had that Vax vacuum cleaner - it could wash carpets as well as vacuum clean. My mam probably bought it from the ESB shop - you could pay for it installments on your electricity bill!
Times have changed indeed - looks like there was no women bank managers in 1987 in Bank of Ireland!
I had a look on wikipedia and it seems that Larna Canoy from Chicago was the winner of the Rose of Tralee - if anyone knows what she is at these days, please do comment below.
And now on to the 2019 Rose of Tralee, it's the second night of the event and a winner will be crowned shortly. They are all magnificent women but for me my favourites are the Donegal Rose, Cork Rose, Washington Rose, Chicago Rose and the London Rose.
Good luck to all the roses!
*I'll edit this blog tomorrow to up date you all when a winner is announced.
Edit - Limerick Rose Dr. Sinead Flanagan is the 2019 Rose of Tralee!
