Lisa at the Festival of Kerry
Our intrepid team of Reporters are following the fortunes of Lisa at the Festival of Kerry. Keep in touch with what they saw.
And the 2009 International Rose of Tralee is... Charmaine Kenny, representing London Charmaine has recently finished working as a management consultant. She now hopes to fulfil her ambition of becoming an entrepreneur and plans to explore various business ideas in the coming months. The 26-year old has a degree in Management Science & Information System Studies and a masters in Economics, both from Trinity College, Dublin, where she is also an elected Scholar. She enjoys the outdoors and scaled Mount Kilimanjaro last year. She is an avid runner and has completed the Connemara Marathon and is now training for the Great Gorilla Run in London (dressed as a gorilla). She is involved with Irish charity Suas and has spent time volunteering in Calcutta and Delhi. Her other passion is travelling, and one of her favourite trips was three months in Japan working as a weather presenter. Charmaine was born in Co Kildare. Watch the announcement of the 2009 Winner |
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The Broadcast interview...Watch Lisa's interview with Ray D'Arcy, onstage at the Dome, as broadcast by RTE. |
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The day of the crowning...We met up with Shirley Anne, David and Rachel in the host twinning pub for breakfast late morning. Rachel took a call from Lisa who had nearly an hour at the hotel for a coffee so they went to catch up with her. Lisa was meant to have a ride in a helicopter and do a couple of other charity visits while the other girls were doing their rehearsals. There was also a rehearsal for the finale that all the girls needed to attend. So it was down to the Dome to get ready for the final night - we went down early and there were still people collecting autographs of all the current Roses and previous winners. We joined the queue (lucky there was no rain tonight) and were chatting to three older sisters who travelled down from Dublin in the train for the festival - they have been coming for many years. They were staying in the Brandon and had met up with some celebs and were having a ball. Laraine and George then came past and stopped to talk to us and they were delighted to have met the 1966 International Rose - they said how lovely she was and how good she looked - we are so lucky to have had two wonderful representatives for NZ in Laraine (1966)and Mary-Anne (1988). The TV show went live at 8pm and Ray announced the viewing stats of the previous night of 53% - much higher thant the previous year. The first Rose on was the Queensland Rose who was the other Rose that twinned with Lisa. Many of the Roses sang but the ones tonight that had the crowds going were the ones that involved Ray D’Arcy in their acts. The Kilkenny Rose (who had the biggest banner and did not mind admitting she had hired her outfits for the festival) is a science teacher and had Ray don a white coat, gloves and safety glasses to do an experiment, and the Boston New England Rose who did a disco dance-off with Ray. The last Rose of the night was the Dublin Rose who sang a beautiful rendition of Memories from the musical Cats. It was off to an ad break and then time for a few speeches and then the crowning..................the 50th International Rose...............London Rose Charmaine Kenny. She was overwhelmed and was quoted in the paper the following day “I am looking forwards to getting stuck into the charity work” and “she could not put into words how she felt”. David got access to the restricted Rose enclosure after the Rose announcement and those photos will be on our website in the next few days. There is a poster which includes a great shot of Aislinn from last year which has been used as the publicity banner for this year's festival. The Roses all went off to the Midnight Madness Parade in the centre of town. We did not rush into town but had a report from Sonia and Michael (regards to all those in New Plymouth) that the Parade was great and there was a real buzz - many people had been present in Denny Street for the live draw of the Lottery and of course various bands had been entertaining them on one of the three big stages around town. The party continued in the Dome with all the Roses making an appearance for about an hour between two and three (am that is). The escorts formed a circle around the girls to protect them. We managed to get Lisa at the edge of the circle and say congratulations to her and goodbye. Another year and a new Rose............ bring on 2010! |
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The first TV night....Yesterday for Lisa was mainly rehearsals although she did manage to catch a cup of coffee in the foyer of the Fels hotel (she wasn't allowed to leave the hotel) with her Mum, uncle and aunt. We went for a drive to Killarney (half an hour away) with David's sister and brother-in-law and went for a short ride on a jaunting cart around the National Park and had some lunch there. We went down to the Dome for the evening function early and had a drink in the bar at the hotel before queuing to get into the Dome. Luckily we were at the front of the queue as the rain started yet again and we were able to shelter under the decorative umbrellas before being allowed into the Dome. We took our seats for the night - up the front behind the Roses not on stage that evening, the escorts, rosebuds and parents. Some guests who arrived later were arguing with others about people being in their seats. The TV producer came and gave a run down on the format for the night then Ray D'Arcy came out for a few minutes. The countdown began and then it was live to the world. There was a short video clip of some of the past Roses then the Roses came out one by one to be introduced. (18 for the night) There were plenty of singers and musicians and two dancers. The musicians included German Rose who played Moon River on the clarinet, the French Rose playing the harp and the Dubai Rose on the tin whistle. The Texas Rose dropped her dress (well part of it anyway that she had designed herself) to do a hard shoe in cowboy boots , while the Luxenburg Rose had Ray help her strip and hold her shoes while she did a slip jig. (It was nowhere as good as Aislinn's last year - who is still remembered and loved over here). The Toronto Rose had a boa constrictor on stage and wrapped it round Ray's neck. Lisa was one of the last group of Roses to take the stage. She did us proud!! The RTE staff had asked her to do an act that she had done in a competition while at university which she had mentioned on her profile. This was a lip sync of a Tina Turner song - 'River Deep, Mountain High' and had the judges bopping as well as the rest of the crowd - her odds have dropped from 100:1 to 14:1! The Escort of 2009 was announced near the end and it was the partner of the Milton Keynes Rose (unfortunately not one of the 32 to make it through to the TV), It was Ben Tighe who had also been an escort the previous year and made it through to the final three. After the TV show and the Roses had had an hour to themselves. We managed to catch up with Lisa and witness the crowds of people coming up to congratulate her. Also her escort (Shane Burke) had his bit of fame when 4 of the escorts did a "boyzone act". So thats it till after the announcement of the winner.... |
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And the next day (Monday)....Today is Lisa's birthday and another full day of activities for her. The weather has been a challenge with rain off and on during the day. Roses had breakfast in a side room with all their families. Lisa got a number of cards and some surprise gifts from family and friends. The first formal activity today was the unveiling of the statue in the Rose Gardens which was closely followed by a Civic Reception at the National Folk Centre (Siamsa Tire). The Civic Reception started with the curtain coming up to reveal the past winners sitting on one side of the stage and the councillors and other dignitaries on the other. The Deputy Mayor, who was standing in for the ill Mayor, made a speech and presented all the Roses including our Laraine Stollery (1966) and Mary-Ann Murphy (1988) with a gift. The past Roses left the stage as the current contestants were brought up on stage. Presentations of certificates were made to each Rose. This was followed by 4 presentations of a miniature of the statue including Anthony O'Gara (CEO of Rose of Tralee) and the artist who designed the sculpture. A special moment occurred as a young girl who has cystic fibrosis was brought on stage. She has been having a special time with the Roses as part of a "Make a Wish" programme. The centres received certificates in a side room while guests enjoyed refreshments. Following the Civic event the Roses were off to attend the official BBQ complete with band and social activities where they mingled with the Centre and family members in attendance. Lisa's birthday was not kept a secret and she was pleasantly surprised to be called up by the Garda Band to receive a cake from the Organising Committee, at which time all assembled guests sang Happy Birthday. Following that it was all on for the Roses who boogied the hour away with the guests and some visitors from the neighbouring circus. The traffic was somewhat chaotic and we edged our way out to get to the next event before the Roses. This was at the host bar called the Brenners Hotel. They were already for the two Roses, New Zealand and Queensland. Lisa arrived first and got introduced to the locals and instantly created a hit with the musicians. Following the introductions she did her version of Po Kere Kere Ana and brought the house down. She was then given a surprise birthday cake and all her new locals sang happy birthday to her and she was presented with a bouquet of flowers. The pub had the flags on display (Aussie and the Silver Fern). Lisa was then whisked away for a media engagement but her escort from Dublin stayed on as he was not required till later that night when they attended the concert in the Dome. We did not go to that but went and had some tea and came back to Brenners to enjoy the "Young Wolfe Tonnes". Lisa is on tonight (one of the later Roses to appear) and will be doing an alternative party piece as requested by RTE. Her day, along with the other Roses on tonight, is mainly filled with rehearsals while the other Roses visit hospitals and other charity functions. Off to put a bet on Lisa and will catch you later David and Shirley |
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August 24Hi from here in Tralee. Yesterday we woke to it lashing down. The Roses went to Mass in the morning and had a change of plans for the afternoon due to the parade being cancelled. It was also the day that there was realisation for 18 of the Roses that although they were going to continue to enjoy the festivities that they were not going to be the Rose of Tralee. They had a range of alternative activities in the afternoon from visiting the museum to going to the amusement park. The escorts are staying in the hotel next to us and I was talking to the Darwin Rose's escort at around 5 pm as they were waiting at the bus. He said he had had fun at the park, no time to read his text messages and had 12 minutes to get showered, shaved and into tux to go to rehearsal for the evening fashion show. We had an early dinner at the Brenner hotel which Lisa is twinned with for her visit today and left them a silver fern flag. We also let them know it was Lisa’s birthday today so they will be doing something for that as well. I went to the fashion show with my sister in law and niece which was being filmed for a fashion TV programme. This was a very slick show with the models first coming out in a selection of the ball gowns that the previous Roses had worn on their night of crowning. The show then continued with outfits from various designers and stores in the region and nationwide. Many of the attendees at the show could have been on the catwalk themselves with their outfits and fascinators. This was due to the fact there was a prize of €1,000 for the best dressed. So the short dress length looks like it will be here for longer and the colours were a lot of purple and red. The 50 Rose contestants came in just after the start of the second half and were able to watch the show before bring brought up on stage for the finale. |
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August 21Hi from Tralee Lisa is "having a ball"! We caught up with her for a few minutes in the hotel lobby yesterday after the ball. She said she is running on adrenalin and enjoying every minute of her time. We did not make it to the ball but by all accounts it was a great night and the food and service were superb. The guests in the hotel were going to breakfast with many of them still in their ball gowns and tuxes. David's sister and brother-in-law and niece have come to Tralee with us. After arriving and checking in on Friday night we went into the Brogue Kirby Inn (Hi to Willy, Kathleen and Aislinn from the owner there) and had a bite to eat before wandering around town and enjoying the atmosphere of the town - three big stages were set up in the closed of streets and bands were playing on each of them. Yesterday was busy for the Roses with some of them going of the Library to open an exhibition, while Lisa stayed back and did her individual interview then went on to visit a Navy ship. In the afternoon she was off signing autographs along with the Australian Roses at the Brogue Inn. I was talking to a couple of the young girls who had been out all day getting autographs and they had signatures from 48 of the 50 Roses and many of the escorts as well. We caught up with Lisa’s mum and aunt and uncle here and a few of the Australian mums and dads and centre representatives. In the evening it was onto the parade. The rain had held of till about 5pm so the evening was rain off and on. Today's paper said they have had the wettest July for 25 years - as it was in NZ. The difference being it is their summer! I could have gone into an area for the guests but thought I would soak up the craic in the crowd. Denny Street was cordoned off with barriers leading to a stage at the top. We grabbed a space after sheltering from the rain in a hotel on the street (and enjoying refreshments). I said to my sister-in-law - mind this space and I will see if I can find another one further up. After finding one I pulled out the NZ fern flag and was then greeted by Sonia Burling (the 2008 Taranaki Rose) and her partner Michael ... what a coincidence to have picked that spot. There was some pre-parade entertainment, and then the parade started with the previous International Roses being driven in classic cars - they were great. The car with Aoibhinn in it (the International Rose who stayed with us in 2006) stopped in the parade beside us and she saw us with the NZ fag and so we managed to exchange greetings. She is featured in the papers over here going to the ball with a popular TV host. We hope to catch up with her before we leave Tralee (maybe at the barbeque on Monday). Lisa looked resplendent in the dress she wore at the NZ final on the second float which was decked out as a “bouquet of roses”. All the Roses (previous and 2009) were on stage and there were some speeches (Mayor, CEO of Rose of Tralee and 2008 Rose) prior to a fabulous fireworks display. The night continued with the Garda band providing the music and everyone dancing in the street. Shirley |
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August 20Hi all Today the photos of the Roses with Ray D'Arcy were in the papers as they met at RTE. Lisa was in the back row on the far left so you could see her but not what she was wearing. The girls were all wearing summer dresses and a few had hats on. Lisa is one of three Roses who have a previous history with the event - two of the Roses have Mothers who were Roses before them. The articles note revealed that a little about a couple of the items for the TV special. It seems that one of the Roses may involve a snake and another a fist in the mouth. Both the Independent and the Mirror go on about how Ray D'Arcy feels about Gay Byrne being in the front row while he is compereing the show this year. Although there are fifty roses on the tour this will be reduced to something like 32 for the TV nights - the NZ Rose has automatic entry to the TV night but some of the Roses from the new centres will not go through. The weather has been a bit better than expected today - I think most of the rain for today fell last night. It has been overcast but warm today. Thats it for today Shirley |
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August 19Hi to all from Dublin. We arrived safe and sound last night Monday night Irish time). Lisa and the other Roses all checked in to their hotel on Sunday. In today's Irish Independent there is a photo of 7 of the contestants holding the senator from Kerry (Lisa was not one of the seven featured|). The Senator hosted the Roses in the Dail. The article notes that the "Kingdom's most senior politician, John O'Donoghue" who was scheduled to host them did not make an appearance and has not been seen since revalations about his lavish expenditure when Minister and also refers to the state of Leinster House as it is being renovated. It also states that the Kerry Rose has never won the Competion and the Senator is hoping that the hoodo will be broken this year. I've not checked what the odds are yet! In summary there was not much about the Roses in the article. Well, it has been a soft day today and rain is forecast through till Sunday - so hopefully the forecasters here are wrong and the weather will be better for the weekend. Ireland has not had a good summer and the family said they have not had that many barbeques - the weather in NZ the week before we left was better. Will let you know about anything else reported on the Roses as they have their tour - scheduled to be in Tralee for Friday rested up for a busy weekend. Bye for now Shirley and David |
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Our message to wish Lisa on her way in Kerry:You are the Rose who has travelled the furtherest to the International Rose competition. We hope you are over your jetlag. May you enjoy the most wonderful experience of your life and treasure the memories forever. We wish you luck and are very proud of you representing New Zealand. Have lots of fun and enjoy every minute of the next 10 days. We will all be on the net watching you on your TV night!!!!!! Kia Kaha Adh mór ort From the Hutt Valley Irish Society and NZ Rose Centre |
Commentary by Shirley Duffy, President of the Hutt Valley Irish Society. Photos by David Duffy - Emotif Photography