Rose Maria’s party piece? She wants to be a Fine Gael MEP
FROM Tralee to Brussels... having already conquered the Rose of Tralee pageant, Maria Walsh now has Europe in her sights and wants to be crowned an MEP.
And the former Rose’s party piece? Well, she’s running as a Fine Gael candidate. The businesswoman, who became the first openly gay Rose of Tralee when she won in 2014, was unveiled by Fine Gael as a prospective candidate for May’s European elections.
The 31-year-old, who was the Philadelphia Rose five years ago, has been linked with the party for a number of months and has publicly discussed an interest in entering politics.
However, Fine Gael headquarters only officially confirmed yesterday morning that she will seek a nomination in the Midlands/North-West constituency this month.
Fine Gael’s constituency selection will take place in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, on February 22.
As part of her pitch, the American-born candidate, who was raised along the Mayo and Galway border in Shrule, cites her involvement with the Defence Forces Reserves, mental health organisation Jigsaw and the GAA for improving her knowledge of the constituency in recent months.
Last August, Ms Walsh spoke about her break-up with TV producer girlfriend Shauna Keogh, but said the pair would continue to work together on TV projects.
While acknowledging ‘entering politics and trying to get a seat at the European Parliament is a daunting task’, she said that throughout her life she had ‘faced obstacles and challenges head-on and overcome them’.
Ms Walsh is seeking to get on the ticket alongside sitting Fine Gael MEP Mairéad McGuinness.
‘Trying to get a seat is a daunting task’