Wicklow Rose Lorna’s whirlwind week in Tralee draws to a close
WICKLOW Rose Lorna Mallick is still on a high following a whirlwind week representing her county at the Rose of Tralee Festival.
‘It has been a very busy week but brilliant. From the first day when we arrived in Maynooth to set off for Tralee and everywhere we went, the welcome was just phenomenal,’ she said.
Lorna set off from her Tinahely home over a week ago to take part in the festival, which has included the Rose Ball, numerous media interviews and photocalls, interviews with judges, all leading up to the televised finals on Monday and Tuesday.
‘I wasn’t disappointed not to take part in the televised interviews because they are just one part of the festival. Once you are involved in the Rose of Tralee you learn that there is so much more to the whole week. I have had a wonderful time and I cheered on my room-mate, Sarah Ward, the New York Rose, who was the first one on stage on the first night,’ Lorna added.
Throughout the week, Lorna was paired with two escorts - John O’Flynn from Limerick and Paul Clabby from Roscommon, who ended up winning Escort of the Year.
She was also paired with Rosebud Isla Campbell from Co Antrim, who was one of the young girls selected to take part in the junior section of the festival.
Lorna was surrounded by family and friends during the week. Among those cheering her on were her parents Joseph and Fiona Mallick, her brother Colin and relatives from Ireland, the UK and Australia.