Sinéad was born to be the Rose of Tralee, says her overjoyed mum
THE mother of this year’s Rose of Tralee has revealed that she waited for the results of the 1991 festival before going to the hospital to give birth to her daughter. On Tuesday night, Dr Sinéad Flanagan was crowned the 2019 Rose of Tralee, becoming the third woman representing Co. Limerick to win the competition.
Following her win, Dr Flanagan’s mother, Catherine Flanagan revealed she went into labour as she was watching the results of the Rose of Tralee competition 28 years ago, but would not go to hospital until she found out who won.
‘She was born on the 29th August 1991. I was watching the Rose of Tralee on the night of the 28th, signs of needing to go to the hospital appeared but I wanted to continue to watch it until the Cork Rose Denise Murphy won. Then we went off to the hospital after that and she was born a few hours later, so it has a special meaning for Sinéad and I always felt I held a Rose in my hands,’ Mrs Flanagan said.
Catherine Flanagan turns 28 today. After being announced as the winner on Tuesday night, she was presented with her tiara by the 2018 Rose of Tralee Kirsten Mate Maher, and her sash by Stephen Scanlan of Tipperary Crystal.
Ms Flanagan was then whisked away to her third Festival parade of the week through the streets of Tralee, where thousands of people turned out for a celebratory fireworks display.
Speaking after her win, Ms Flanagan said she was ‘shocked and delighted’.
‘It has been such a fantastic experience, I obviously didn’t expect it, given my reaction, but [I’m] delighted and honoured to represent the festival.
‘I think I was just amazed and it felt like a dream. All the girls came around me to show their support, as they always have been doing, and made sure I made it out to Dáithí, so I think that is what it is about – supporting each other,’ she said.
Ms Flanagan grew up in Mungret, Co. Limerick, but now lives in Adare.
She qualified as a physiotherapist at University of Limerick, before studying medicine in University College Cork.
She is currently working as a junior doctor in Cork.
The announcement of this year’s winner was watched by 2,000 people in the Dome in Tralee, as well as by audiences across the globe.