'It would be a great privilege' the new Laois Rose is excited for Tralee

Perhaps it is just the warm Irish American accent, but there is something about the newly chosen Laois Rose that already feels distinctly like a Rose of Tralee winner.

Sinead Dowd was just 16, born and bred in New York, when the independent teen convinced her parents to let her move to Ireland, to live on a farm with her auntie and uncle, Claire and Martin Delahunty in Cullohill, sharing a bunkbed with her cousin Richenda.

“I had come over every summer to be surrounded by cousins, all farming, hopping over electric fences, I love the simplicity of life here,” she told the Leinster Express after the shock and surprise of her win, at the Midlands Park Hotel on Easter Sunday Night, April 9.

She finished secondary school in Johnstown, studied in UCC then NUI Galway and is this year teaching English and Geography in Scoil Chríost Rí. Her sponsor is fellow teacher and Turley's Bar publican Tom Moss.

“I am only there for the year but it is a great first school to start in, it is amazing,” she said.

Ironically, Sinead studied Irish dancing for 15 years in New York but since she came to Ireland, hasn't danced a step. Instead she read out a poem onstage that her third year students wrote with her.

She is overjoyed to win the Laois Rose title.

“I am actually shocked, estatic, excited. I can't wait to see what's to come.

“I've always wanted to do this since I was a little girl but I never had the confidence before. It is a nice way to connect my mother back to Ireland,” she said.

“The girls are all amazing, a beautiful group of girls, definitely friends for life. Everyone is supportive and the coordinators Lyn and Steve made it all so enjoyable. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of doing it,” Sinead said.
She is ready to put the best foot forward in Tralee, in her own way.

“I love the whole female empowerment of it, I'll be going with a good sense of humour and not take anything too seriously,” she said.

“It would be a great privilege to win, we'll strive for it,” she vowed.

Her proud parents are Denis Dowd from Durrow, and Grainne Jacob from Cullohill and she has a sister and brother in the States.

Grainne flew home for the Laois Rose Selection night at the last minute.

“I am so proud of her. I'll be back in August for the Rose of Tralee. I thought that she had as good a chance as any. She is very confident, very independent. She took my role, my mother let me go to America at 17, and she was moving to my sister who is like a second mammy to her. I just feel bad for the rest of the girls tonight, they were all great,” Grainne said.

“She is a fantastic girl, we are very proud,” Claire said.

The night was filled with laughter, high style and talent, as 17 young women took to the stage in a room packed with supporters waving artistic and witty banners.

MC Ollie Turner had them in fits with his banter, gamely taking part in activities including balloon animal making with Annabel Laffan, picture framing with Erin Ryan, a CPR demonstration with Ciara Delaney, a disastrous cocktail demonstration with barwoman Jade Laffan, golf with professional Mary Doyle. drawing with Sinead McEvoy, and jiving with Charlene Duff.

There were artistic performances too from Alanah Conroy playing her harp, Ruby Graham Irish Dancing, Cara Phelan reciting a poem her mam Martina wrote, Annamae Muldowney, Charlene Duff and Stephanie Quinlivan singing, Anna Ward giving a Zumba class to the audience and Tiegan Dunne getting everyone on the feet with a rousing verson of Wagonwheel. 

IN PICTURES: Laois Rose live from the Midlands Park Hotel Portlaoise

Outgoing Laois Rose, Nurse Sarah Bergin had held the sash for four years thanks to the Covid break.

“They'll have to surgically remove it. All 17 girls have done themselves proud, fair play to each and everyone,” she said to cheers.

Laois Rose Coordinator Steve Cronly thanked everyone for playing their part to make it a great night, and also thanked the outgoing Laois Rose.

WATCH: The new Laois Rose is announced

"Sarah has been a wonderful ambassador to us. The Rose of Tralee is a huge celebration of Irish diaspora but our role is to make sure that each Rose gets a great experience," he said.

The 2023 Laois Rose will have free styling for her public appearances by main sponsor The Style Bar, with the highlight being the Rose of Tralee International Festival this August in Kerry.