Long way to go for Otago rose
CAOIMHE Finn has come a long way to compete in a quintessentially Irish competition.
The Irish native, who moved to Dunedin two years ago, was at the weekend named Otago’s Rose of Tralee.
‘‘Growing up in Ireland I watched the festival every year with my family but I never thought I would compete in it in New Zealand.’’
It was ‘‘a dream come true’’, she said yesterday.
Because Otago does not have an Irish society to host a regional competition, the 25yearold headed to Invercargill for the Southland society’s competition, where she was name the Otago rose.
For the performance section of the selection event Ms Finn performed a jazz dance to Mr Bojangles by Robbie Williams.
The University of Otago undergraduate administrator grew up in Wexford, Ireland.
When her boyfriend, also Irish, suggested a move to New Zealand two years ago, she jumped at the opportunity to travel.
She will be with seven others attempting to win the New Zealand Rose of Tralee title in Taranaki on June 8 and 9.
The winner will receive a trip to Ireland in August for the International Rose of Tralee Festival.
Ms Finn said she was the first in her family to compete in the event and hoped to make it to Ireland so she could visit her family while there.
‘‘It’s something I’ve been wanting to do since I was a girl so I’m really excited to be representing Otago and my family.’’
The festival final is a popular televised event in Ireland.