SIXMILEBRIDGE’s Méabh Holland is bidding to become only the second Clare woman to win the Rose of Tralee while two Clare men will serve as escorts for the famed festival.
Tralee welcomes the Roses and Escorts for the 67th festival with the Sixmilebridge woman an outside contender to be named the Rose of Tralee.
Twenty two year old Méabh was selected as the Clare Rose at the beginning of May, prevailing in a contest of fourteen to succeed Feakle’s Aisling O’Connor who made it to the Dome in August 2023.
A primary school teacher, Méabh has a love for her native language and spent her summers teaching Gaeilge in Connemara. She teaches the concertina with Music Generation Clare and The Irish Concertina Orchestra.
Ladbrokes have Méabh at 25/1 to win outright. Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes commented, “Clare have only won the competition once, almost 60 years ago. However, Clare locals are backing their Rose to go all the way this year”.
Adding to the Clare contingent in Tralee are escorts, Shane Harrison from Quin and Barefield’s Mark Lynch.
Twenty four year old Shane is a graduate of the University of Limerick who now works as a site engineer in Galway. “Home has always been a huge part of who I am. Growing up in Clare has given me a great appreciation for community, and I’ve been fortunate to spend most of my life playing hurling with Clooney/Quin GAA Club. Whether I’m on the pitch, helping out on the farm, or catching up with family and friends, I’m happiest when I’m surrounded by good people,” he said.
“Away from work, I love music, travelling, and experiencing new places and cultures. One of my biggest goals is to visit as many countries as I can. I enjoy making the most of every opportunity, having a laugh, and never saying no to a new adventure. I’m really looking forward to the Rose of Tralee Festival as I think It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet people from all over the world and make lifelong memories. Most of all, I’m excited to embrace the experience and have plenty of craic along the way,” Shane added.
A pharmacist at Marry Jo Duffy’s in Ennis, Mark quipped that he spends his working hours “reading impossible penmanship and gently explaining that antibiotics won’t cure a hangover”.
There will be a strong Clare spirit in Tralee, the twenty nine year old outlined, “Outside the pharmacy, I’m a massive fan of Clare GAA and Munster Rugby, and can usually otherwise be found at a music festival or concert. Growing up with a younger sister and working almost exclusively with women, I consider myself a master in the art of patience, a trait that will come in remarkably handy in Tralee. I’m swapping the dispensary for the Dome to bring proper Banner spirit to Kerry and ensure my Rose has an absolute blast, while entertaining with my impressions and dry wit”.
The Rose of Tralee airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Monday 17 August and Tuesday 18 August from 8pm.
