Photograph: Bert Trowlen (Orlagh with her mum and dad)
Friday 26th April saw the selection night for the Antrim Rose in the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick.
This year the Antrim Rose selection facilitated by the Antrim Rose Centre organised by its two coordinators, Orla Campbell and Stephanie Petticrew. Following written applications, they brought together 11 women from various corners of Co. Antrim to showcase their talents and achievements proving why they would be a suitable candidate to represent their county in Tralee. Each and every girl did themselves, their families and their communities proud throughout the process. We met on many occasions before selection night. We travelled to Cairndhu Golf Club first for a fundraising quiz. Next, we visited Bushmills distillery home to the famous ‘Bushmills Irish Whiskey’, where we found out about the manufacturing process and were able to sample their unique product. We took part in the Escape room in Belfast, where we had one hour to problem solve as a group in order to beat the clock, finally we visited the Northern Wig for a relaxed evening of getting to know each other.
The selection night was hosted by the fantastic Grainne McCoy, an empowering business woman who has her own unique makeup range and was an Apprentice Candidate in 2016. She was the perfect MC on the night showing how empowered women, empower women. Each of the roses were interviewed on stage in front of the Judges who were representatives from the Rose of Tralee. We had half time entertainment from Riche Remo, before last year’s Antrim Rose Roisin McCloskey from Portglenone, handed over her sash to the 2019 Antrim Rose. Rosin has had an incredible year travelling with her fellow Roses in various corners of the world.
The Rose of Tralee festival is celebrating its 60th year and this year 32 Roses have been selected for Tralee during the festival, 23rd-27th August. This year due to there being only 32 Rose centres, Antrim and Donegal will be the only Ulster counties to be represented. The festival consists of many elements including, The Rose Ball, Parade and the two televised nights in the Dome. Each Rose will be given the opportunity to be interviewed by the wonderful Dáithí O Se as the program is broadcasted on RTE for two nights, before the crowning the Rose of Tralee 2019.
I am delighted to introduce myself as the 2019 Antrim Rose. My name is Orlagh McClinton. I am 22 years old and from a small village called Glenavy, Co.Antrim. I am currently finishing off my final year in St Mary’s University College Belfast with a degree in Liberal Arts with Religious Studies. I have secured a place to complete a PGCE in September in order to become a fully qualified Primary school teacher. My passions include my love of sport, especially the GAA, being an enthusiastic member of my home club St Joseph’s GAC Glenavy, where I am a Senior player and club committee member. I love my home parish of Glenavy and Killed and the strong sense of community it brings about. Volunteering; having taught in both India and Tanzania and spending time working at both Dromantine and Michaela Foundation Summer Camps.
I will be sponsored by the fantastic Kerry based designer Rebekah Walls who will be creating a bespoke wardrobe for my time in Tralee. Rebekah was a previous Kerry Rose and I couldn’t be more excited about working with her! Kathleen Kelly of Bronze studios has also been an incredible support providing me with a unique beauty package for the year. I would also like to thank my Sponsor Velvet Crunch for their generous donation and support. All I can say is that the past few days have been an absolute whirlwind and I have been overwhelmed with the support I have received. I hope that I do our County proud in Tralee and for the rest of my year as the Antrim Rose. Feel free to follow my journey on Facebook – Antrim Rose Centre or Twitter/Instagram @antrimrosecentre
Dáithí get the tea on we’re coming to Tralee!
Much grá photo with her mum and dad
Orlagh
The Saffron Gael wishes Orlagh every success in Tralee!