Roscommon Roses take to the stage tonight
Roscommon Rose Rachel Hastings will be appearing on stage at the Rose of Tralee festival, tonight Tuesday.
County Roscommon will be well represented at tonight’s Rose of Tralee finals.
Two Roscommon women are featuring in this year’s competition, now in its 64th year.
27-year-old Ballyforan native Rachel Hastings is representing Roscommon while Glenna Mannion (28) from Tulsk is the London Rose.
Rachel is a lecturer in St Angela's College, Sligo and Glenna, who has been living in London for the past eight years, is a deputy manager and service coordinator of a residential home for young people with autism.
Rachel told the Herald that representing her county is a dream come true.
“It was hard to believe that it was actually me being selected. It meant the world to me. I want to represent my friends, my family, my community, local businesses, and the whole county. I hope to do them all proud,” she said.
The daughter of Monica and Claude, Rachel is an active member of the community, contributing to her local club St Aidan’s GAA in their Healthy Club initiative. She has also volunteered in Kenya, working with young people in a school setting.
As well as being a home economics lecturer, she is pursuing a PhD in ‘Education for Sustainable and Responsible Living’.
“I have very fond memories of the Rose of Tralee from a young age from watching it here in Ballyforan with my mum and my sister and I have attended the dome for a number of years, and I have enjoyed listening to each Rose’s achievements and their goals. For me being on that stage, it is a dream.” Both Rachel and Glenna will be appearing on stage on the second night of the finals in tenth and eight place respectively in the running order.
Leitrim Rose Shauna Murtagh, from Carrick-on-Shannon, took to the stage last night, while Megan McCormack, from Gurteen is set to appear this evening.
