Leitrim Rose Martha selected for Rose of Tralee finals
Ballinamore's Martha Gilheaney has brought pride to the county by successfully being selected to represent Leitrim at the International Rose of Tralee Festival in August.
Martha will be the first native Leitrim lady to represent the county as a Rose at the International Rose of Tralee Festival.
Martha was one of six lucky ladies to be chosen from 29 prospectful roses at the regional final in Portlaoise at the weekend. Her winning smile, warm personality and renowned Irish dancing talent helped Martha to glide through the regional finals.
Emotional and overwhelmed Martha was welcomed back to the county by a group of supporters in Dromod on Bank Holiday Monday before she arrived back to the large celebrations in Ballinamore, where a huge number of locals turned out to congratulate the county rose.
Speaking to the Leitrim Observer, post celebrations on Tuesday, June 8, Martha said she is "over the moon" to be selected for the Rose of Tralee Finals. She said the Roses "were treated like royalty" during the jam packed three days at the Regional Finals in Portlaoise at the weekend. 2FM's Will Leahy interviewed the girls on stage and Martha said she was nervous about the final interview but it passed quickly before she got to show off her unique Irish dancing talent.
Giving her a boost of confidence on the night was the beautiful dress she wore, designed by Eileen Abbott. Martha said the corset and skirt was so unique compared to what the other Roses wore, that it helped put her in winning form.
The Leitrim Rose had an "amazing" time in Portlaoise and said she could definitely get used to the fine life of a Rose! She said when her name was announced to go through to the finals "my heart stopped" and everything was a haze aside from the roars from her 20 supporters in the audience.
Since she has come home, she said the "phone hasn't stopped ringing" and "we are running out of vases to hold the flowers!"
Her parents Nora and John Gilheaney and all her family and friends are so proud Martha, especially her 92 year old grandfather Tommy. Martha is looking forward to the festival in Tralee, she hopes she can represent, Ballinamore, Leitrim, Connaught and the entire West to her best ability!
Martha is best known for her outstanding work as a dance facilitator/choreographer at the Shaylyn Group which she established with her sisters Laura and Jane.
25 year old Martha has a degree in Business Studies with Arts Management and a diploma in Image & Fashion Styling. She plans to return to college in September to do a Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
She is no stranger to the stage as she has danced on You're A Star, appeared on Seoige and O'Shea and on the front page of the Irish Times.
This will not be Martha's first appearance at the Rose of Tralee as she has previously performed with the Shaylyn Group at the Rose of Tralee International Festival.
Ballinamore Councillor Gordon Hughes welcomed the success of Leitrim and congratulated Ballinamore's first native Rose Martha Gilheaney from Kiltymooden on her success at the Regional Finals in Portlaoise. Cllr Hughes said it was an "historical" occasion and wished her every best in the International Final in August.
He said Martha will "help showcase Leitrim and promote the county as best she can" and he said he hopes the local community support Martha and her family.
He encourages everyone who can, to go down to Tralee in August to show their support to Martha.
Our Leitrim Rose will join roses from Down, Carlow, Laois, Tipperary, Belfast, Cork, Dublin and Kerry along with 22 other roses from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Dubai at the International Festival in Tralee. The televised finals will be held on August 23 & 24.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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