ANNMARIE HEADS SOUTH FOR THE ROSE
LOUTH Rose AnnMarie Duffy is missing the opportunity to dance at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Drogheda this week as she travels to Tralee in the hope of bringing home the crown to the Wee County.
AnnMarie from Dundalk dances with the Scoil Rince Ul Chonghaile and is a member of the team that has qualified for the Fleadh in Drogheda.
However, as the Fleadh is on the same week as the Rose of Tralee festival, she will pass up on the opportunity of dancing in the Fleadh for the honour of representing Louth in the world famous Rose of Tralee contest.
The 27 year old speech and language therapist, based in Drogheda, has no plans to put on her dancing shoes if she makes it to the Dome, but says she will just chat to Daithi O’Se.
Describing herself as ‘a true Louth woman’ as her mother Anne is from Dundalk and her dad Richard, a noted runner, from Drogheda, AnnMarie says it is a huge honour to be representing Louth in the competition,
Having always enjoyed watching The Rose of Tralee while growing up, AnnMarie says she always harboured an ambition to be a Rose,
‘I always enjoyed watching it and always had the idea at the back of my mind that it was something I might like to do in the future,’ she says. ‘I then realised that this was the last year I’d be eligible so I said I’d give it a go.’
Having been selected to represent Louth at the county competition in the Four Seasons Hotel, Carlingford in April, AnnMarie has had a busy few months in the run up to the festival in Tralee.
She has been involved with promoting the Louth Fleadh and took part in a number of the live music events in the town over the summer. She also attended the Raft Race in Blackrock and took her two dogs on LSPCA’s sponsored dog walk at the weekend.
‘I’ve been going along to lots of different events and it’s lovely to meet people and hear everyone’s stories.’
‘My work involves working with children with a range of speech, language and communication needs. I enjoy the creative opportunities and fun which comes from alongside children.
Her big passions are Irish dance and running. ‘I run with the North East Runners, as do both my parents. I really enjoy it and I take part in 5km and 10km races as well as cross-country running in the winter. I love running through muddy fields!’
She travelled to meet up with her fellow Roses in Kildare yesterday (Monday) and they are set to arrive in Tralee on Wednesday.
In a new format this year, the Roses will be informed by text on Saturday morning if they have been selected to go through to the televised heats in the Dome next Monday and Tuesday.
‘ There used to be a regional final for the Irish Roses and only a number would go onto to Tralee, but now all the Roses get to go to the festival,’ explains AnnMarie.
While naturally she hopes that she will get the chance to represent Louth in the Dome, she says she is looking forward to experiencing the festival and meeting all the other Roses.