‘What an inspiration' say RTE fans as South Australia Rose buries grandmother just 1 day before live show
RTE presenters Kathryn Thomas and Daithi O Se returned to host the iconic event tonight together for their third year running.
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South Australia Rose Beth Mooney lost her nan just days before the show
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Kathryn Thomas comforted Beth on stage
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Beth performed a dance routine in honour of her nan
A total of 32 hopefuls were on hand at the Dome in Tralee in a bid to be crowned, The Rose of Tralee this week.
This year's competition was jam-packed with highs and lows, funny moments and even a performance from Daniel O'Donnell as viewers got to know all of the Roses that took part in the competition.
However, it was South Australia Rose, Beth Mooney, who won the hearts of viewers when it was revealed she had suffered a huge family loss just days before the event.
Beth, who grew up in Co Wexford, lost her beloved grandmother Lucy Lane on Friday, August, 15 - just one day before the live show began.
Speaking to Beth live on air, Kathryn remarked: "See, we are all in awe of you. We really are, because you have had an incredibly difficult few days. Very unexpectedly, you buried your grandmother yesterday. And it's just, it was a shock for everybody.
"And the fact that you were standing up here is incredible. And the fact that you have come and turned up with a smile on your face, you're amazing."
An emotional Beth responded: "I'm doing well. I think it's a testimony to my family and to my grandma. She would never want me to miss out on the Rose of Tralee.
"She was a very dramatic person, she was. So, to be up here is really representing her."
Kathryn told the audience that Beth got to visit her grandmother one last time to show off her glamorous Rose of Tralee look.
Beth said: "She was overwhelmed. She was so excited when she saw that sash. I even put it on her. I think she thought she was the one that was going to go up on stage."
Rose of Tralee 2025 winner left in tears on stage as she's revealed as winner and RTE fans call her 'inspiring'
Beth explained how her grandmother "loved the limelight" and was a part of a music society her entire life.
The young Rose said: "She loved the stage, she loved performing, she loved singing. She grew up in that music world, the music world completely."
Beth also opened up about being diagnosed with scoliosis at the young age of eleven.
The Wexford native revealed: "I had surgery at 14, spinal fusion. Which is very late. I had to wait a certain amount of time because of the way scoliosis works, particularly as an adolescent, since you have to go through a lot before you can do it.
'SO PROUD'
"You have to hit puberty before you go through it. So it's really important that they hit it at the right time."
Kathryn added: "And you are living proof that with the correct surgery and early intervention, a life can be very different. Because dance is your life."
And RTE viewers all flooded social media with love for the South Australia Rose.
Gemma wrote on X: "What an inspiration Beth go girl."
Lauren said: "That must have been so tough for Beth. Such a lovely young lady."
Andrea remarked: "Beth is such an inspiration; her nan would be so proud."
And Pamela added: "Beth's gran will be so proud looking down on her."
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