Toronto Rose Carly is back home in Cooley
TORONTO Rose Carly McGrath (pictured) beamed with pride as she celebrated with family and friends ‘ back home’ in Cooley last weekend.
The 25-year-old Rathcor native travelled back from Toronto, where she has lived and worked for the last four years, to take part in the world renowned International Rose of Tralee Festival later this month.
‘It’s been a bit of a baptism of fire since I came back,’ Carly told the Argus. ‘ There is lots to do in preparation for the event, but I really am enjoying every minute, and can’t wait to get down to Tralee.’
Taking part in the festival was ‘something I always wanted to do’ she explained.
‘I just thought it would be an incredible experience, but it was about finding the right time.’
After calls went out in Toronto for candidates to represent the city, Carly decided to throw her hat in the ring.
‘My parents actually got back to Toronto for the first time in 23 years for the selection night, so it was a very memorable night. I was stunned when I heard my name called out, what an honour to be asked to represent my adopted home city back home in Ireland.’
Although a Toronto resident since she graduated college in 2014, Carly said she will ‘always be a Cooley girl at heart’.
‘My parents emigrated to Canada in the late 1980s, and I was born there. But they decided to move back in 1992. I was just two years old at the time so I don’t remember it.’
Growing up in scenic north Louth, she added ‘Having the shore at my doorstep, and a quad to hop on in the evening was my ideal way of growing up.’
In 2014 she graduated with an BA International Honours degree from NIU Maynooth.
‘ Throughout my degree I also had the pleasure of studying abroad in the University of Vienna, Austria, where I specialised in Economics and Cultural Studies.
‘But as I was born in Canada I had the luxury of being able to go back and forward, and I always thought I would go back to live there. So shortly after I graduated I decided to follow in my parents footsteps and call Toronto home again!’
Carly works within the financial services industry in Investor Relations in a downtown Toronto firm called Citco (Canada) a job she adds ‘I really love.’
‘ There is also a very strong Irish community in Toronto, and I’ve been playing with Durham Robert Emmets gaelic football team for the last few years. It’s a great way to meet people.’
The Louth woman has even become the first female referee for the Toronto side! ‘I do love staying active and playing sports. I also train and compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Carly’s has significant background in gaelic football, having played for Cooley Kickhams for many years at home.
As she prepared to begin engagements ahead of the journey down to the Tralee festival, Carly enjoyed a huge party with family and friends on Friday night last.’ ‘I’m looking forward to the whole experience.’