Ann Marie is off to the Rose!
A DUNDALK woman with distinct Drogheda links has been selected as the 2018 Louth Rose of Tralee.
Ann Marie Duffy, a speech and language therapist at the HSE centre in the Laurence Centre and St John’s School, was selected ahead of 11 others contenders last Sunday night.
‘I’m absolutely shocked, but I don’t have a party piece - I just talk!’ Ann Marie stated.
Daughter of Drogheda man and veteran athlete Dick Duffy and Anne, a Dundalk native, Ann Marie says she can’t wait to get to Tralee for the festival.
LOUTH’S 2018 Rose of Tralee Ann Marie Duffy admits she was ‘absolutely shocked’ when she was selected as the county entry for this August’s Kerry festival.
‘I’m over the moon, I’m still in shock!,’ she declared this week.
A Dundalk native, she has plenty of county-wide links, as her father, Dick, an accomplished athlete, is from Drogheda while her mum, Anne, is from Dundalk.
‘ The Rose of Tralee is something I’ve always been interested in and if you asked my 10-yearold self, would I like to be the ‘Rose’ - I’d have said yes.’
The 26 year old knew this was her last chance to enter the competition so she took it on.
‘It’s the first time I’ve ever entered something like this and I have to thank my sponsor, Premier Chiropractic from Dundalk,’ she added.
Ann Marie says she’s not into the party pieces, so you may not get to see her singing or dancing in the Dome - ‘I just talk!’ she revealed.
Ann Marie works as a speech and language therapist in the HSE centre in the Laurence Shopping Centre and also in St John’s School in Rathmullen.
Dad, Dick, is a veteran runner and widely known on the circuit while Ann Marie is also an athlete and a popular member of the North East Runners.
‘I know the next few months will be very busy but I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be meeting up with the other Roses and it will be a great week in Tralee,’ she stated.
Representing the Louth centre, she will also have a number of engagements around the county.
She has been at the festival once before and admitted it was a wonderful experience.
‘I went with a college friend from Tralee and it was a great week. It will be even better to be part of it this time.’
Ann Marie saw off 11 other contenders at the Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday night.