CAMPILE’S SAOIRSE RELISHES HER ROLE AS WEXFORD’S ROSE
CAMPILE-NATIVE Saoirse Walsh has a world class CV and she is hoping her experience in performing in some of the UK’s most iconic venues will stand to her as she bids to become Wexford’s first Rose of Tralee winner.
Saoirse, 27, was chosen as the Wexford Rose in late May, beating off stiff competition from 12 other contestants. Having previously contested the London Rose competition she was thrilled to win the chance to represent her county in a competition she has followed since childhood.
Saoirse first visited the festival when she was three months old and it has always been a life-long dream to return as a Rose. ‘My Mammy and Daddy used to go to Tralee as my grandad used to train horses in Tralee for the races which began after the Roses competition. I grew up with it. We always watched it on Tv and I was inspired by all the previous winners. You’d always be in awe all of the glamorous roses,’ she said.
To date there has been no Wexford winner of the Rose of Tralee, or even someone born in Wexford who represented another county successfully. Saoirse is hoping to buck that trend. She was home in mid-July for a fortnight and attended the Bannow Rathangan Show, the Adamstown Show and numerous events and iconic tourist attractions across the county, while enjoying the chance to spend some time with her proud parents Jack and Celia Walsh and grandparents Mary-Ann and Paddy Cummins. She returns today (Tuesday) and will remain in the county until she travels to Tralee in mid-August.
A former member of the Irish Youth Choir, Saoirse continues to perform with a number of choirs and has sung at the Royal Albert Hall in London with the City of London Choir. ‘It’s fantastic being in the City of London Choir as we are a partner of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. I’ve had many great experiences and it has been amazing to sing at Westminster.’
Saoirse is a Marketing Executive in London with Collier Webb who specialise in the restoration and interior design of historical buildings. Her work has taken her to New York, Paris and Los Angeles.
If she gets through the final qualification group interview, Saoirse plans to sing The Last Rose of Summer on stage beside host Dáithí Ó Sé whom she met recently, along with former 2014 winning Rose Maria Walsh.
Saoirse said Maria raised the role and profile of a Rose to a new level, adding: ‘She had that voice for the LGBT community and she is such a great communicator and public speaker. She does great work with Plan Ireland and by coincidence I sponsor a girl in Vietnam through Plan Ireland,’
Last year, Saoirse ran the Dublin Marathon for MS Ireland and plans to continue her fundraising and volunteering for the next 12 months as the Wexford Rose.
While home she taught a children’s camp in music and the Arts and Drama in Waterford and is passionate about teaching and having a positive impact on the world.
Saoirse said she has been overwhelmed with support as she travelled around the county. ‘People are just so excited. People come up to you and have a chat about it and wish you luck. I am friends with the London Rose and you can go to Irish events in the city, but there’s nothing like being in Wexford where everyone is familiar with the competition.’
Saoirse and 56 other Roses will take part in a group discussion on the Saturday before the Rose of Tralee which takes place on Monday, August 20 and Tuesday, August 21.
‘ The judges will throw out different topics. It’s apolitical but they could bring up Trump. I am looking forward to getting on the stage as it’s a lot more light hearted with Dáithí.’
Saoirse has visited several major attractions in the county during her time back home, including Wexford Opera House, the Dunbrody Famine Ship and Hook Lighthouse and plans to highlight the beauty of the Model County if she gets through to the televised finals. ‘Wexford has so much to offer in terms of culture, history and scenic beauty and I benefited greatly from growing up here. I think the Rose of Tralee competition is so relevant nowadays with social media’s focus on aesthetics. The festival promotes and rewards professional and personal achievement of all of the women involved. For a festival to bring Irish women from all over the world, hard working women who are successfully promoting Irish culture, shows how important is to be able to connect with the global Irish diaspora all over the world.’ She thanked Lulu Boutique and Town & Country boutiques in New Ross, Liz Collins boutique in Gorey, Glamourize Hair in Bunclody and Denise’s Beauty for sponsoring her with clothes and beauty treatments. Saoirse will be having a farewell evening at the Kings Bay Inn in Arthurstown in August 11 from 9 p.m. with a raffle in aid of MS Ireland Wexford branch on the night.
THE JUDGES WILL THROW OUT DIFFERENT TOPICS. IT’S APOLITICAL, BUT THEY COULD BRING UP TRUMP