Kerry Rose, Celine, is proud of her south Kerry roots...

WHEN Celine O’Shea walks on stage during the Rose of Tralee Festival she can rest assured that the folks back home in Foilmore and Cahersiveen will be behind her every step of the way.

Celine is currently preparing for a hectic few weeks representing the county at the 2018 Festival of Kerry. The Kerry Rose lives in Cork these days, but home is where the heart is as Celine loves nothing more than to head for the tranquil surrounds of south Kerry for a break. The 25-year-old works as a Dementia activities facilitator in St Luke’s Home, Cork, and is currently completing a postgraduate certificate in Dementia Care with Trinity College Dublin.

Celine has lovely childhood memories of visiting the Rose of Tralee festival. However, asking Roses for their autograph is something she never thought would come full circle.

“When we were small my parents always took us to the festival, and we loved every minute of it. My mother recently found a picture of me when I was just 7 months old at the festival,” Celine said.

“One of the main things for me was always meeting the Roses on the streets and having them sign my autograph book. I had actually forgotten about this book until recently when a little girl asked me for my autograph. Mom reminded me how that is exactly what I used to do every year when I was small. The parade on the Saturday was magic and it’s unbelievable to now be on the other side of it.”

A couple of weeks back Celine got to visit her former school in Foilmore. Her mom is from Valentia and a visit to the local nursing home there was also part of the schedule. These are the kind of memories only the Rose of Tralee seems capable of creating. Celine said she will be thinking of her home place and family ‘ 100%’ during the Rose of Tralee.

“I feel it’s not just me that’s in this, but also the whole community of Cahersiveen and south Kerry. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t come from a place like that. There’s so much on over the next few weeks and our tour starts in August, which is when it will be all go. Up until now I was juggling with college and work, so it is nice to experience something as different as this,” Celine said.