I was given shock diagnosis after major sign on beach holiday, my parents were scared, says Rose of Tralee contestant
RESILIENT ROSE I was given shock diagnosis after major sign on beach holiday, my parents were scared, says Rose of Tralee contestant
CONTEMPORARY dancer and this year's South Australia Rose Beth Mooney isn't just chasing a crown - she's breaking barriers.
The 24-year-old Rose of Tralee contestant has revealed how she will perform on stage at the Dome next week despite undergoing a major operation as a teenager.
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Beth is set to wow the audience with an inspiring performance
Credit: Domnick Walsh Eye Focus
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The South Australia Rose was diagnosed with scoliosis at 11 years of age
Credit: instagram/saroseoftrale
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She underwent a very big operation at just 14
Credit: ANDRES POVEDA LTD
Beth, who underwent spinal fusion surgery, says that battling scoliosis as a young person has shaped her resilience and passion for inclusion.
Born in Dublin but raised in Wexford, Beth moved to Australia when she was nine with her family, where her condition was first diagnosed.
Beth told The Irish Sun: "My mother has scoliosis herself, so she was always a bit wary she would pass down the gene to me.
"I was diagnosed at 11 years of age.
"We found out that I had it on a beach holiday when they noticed my shoulders were a bit uneven.
"From there, I was gradually observed and looked after as they tried to work out what was going on with my spine.
"Eventually, it was so severe that I had to have spinal fusion, which is where they had to straighten up my lovely spine with titanium rods.
"That was a very big surgery for me at the age of 14.
"I was in the operation for about eight hours while my parents were very, very scared in the waiting room."
The spinal fusion surgery was a success, but Beth then underwent a year of physiotherapy.
2025 Rose of Tralee hopefuls reveal their stories ahead of the contest
She later graduated with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Dance) from Flinders University and Adelaide College of the Arts.
Working as a contemporary dancer and teaching artist, she believes in the power of movement to inspire creativity, connection, and confidence.
With this in mind, her party piece for Rose hosts Daithi O Se and Kathryn Thomas in the Dome next week will see her perform a dance.
My parents were very, very scared in the waiting room
Beth Mooney
Beth said: "I'm going to do some contemporary flash lyrical dancing, which is very exciting.
"I thought it would be amazing to represent somebody who is a little less able-bodied.
"For me, it's all about pushing your limits and just giving anything a go."
Beth, who holds dual Irish and Australian citizenship, said she was delighted to be competing in the Rose of Tralee because it's in Kerry where her parents first met.
Her mother worked at Castlerosse Hotel in Killarney during her college years, where she met Beth's dad, Colm Mooney.
Her mum will be joining her in Tralee, while her dad will be watching from Australia, where Beth's sister is competing in a state lacrosse competition.
The Rose of Tralee festival will take place on Monday and Tuesday night, 18 and 19 August, and will be broadcast live on RTÉ One.
WHAT IS SCOLIOSIS?
A TWIST or curve of the spine to one side has been medically defined as scoliosis.
Although the condition most commonly affects children aged 10-15, it can strike people of any age.
It's unlikely for cases of scoliosis to improve without surgery, so it's always important to contact your GP if you or your children spot tell-tale symptoms.
What causes scoliosis?
In around 80 per cent of cases, doctors can't identify the cause of scoliosis.
Despite this, there are some triggers of the condition… Congenital scoliosis: When the spinal bones don't form properly in the womb
Neuromuscular scoliosis: It may be an after-effect of a muscle or nerve condition, such as cerebral palsy
Degenerative scoliosis: Where the spine is damaged because of general wear and tear that comes with age
What are the symptoms of scoliosis?
Back pain is a common symptom of scoliosis, especially for adult sufferers.
There are six other signs to look out for… a visibly curved spine
leaning to one side
uneven shoulders
one shoulder or hip sticking out
the ribs sticking out on one side
clothes not fitting well
And at the launch yesterday presenter Daithi O Se used the boat party to drop anchor on talk of running for president.
The popular Kerryman, on board the MV Cill Airne with his show co-host Kathryn Thomas and 32 Roses, said he would 'love the top job' — but not just yet.
Backing her pal, Kathryn told The Irish Sun: 'Daithi is a man of the people.
Everybody loves Daithi — he is so Irish and would be brilliant in the role.'
Quizzed as to why she thought he'd be good for the job, Daithi jumped in: 'Because he's standing next to me!'
But anyone thinking that the 49-year-old was only joking about running for the Aras got a shock when Daithi said it could really be on the cards.
Daithi told The Irish Sun: 'It's something that everybody who is in the public eye, or a public servant, should at least think about it.
'It's the top job in the country, you are an ambassador for the country and a custodian of the constitution.
'To turn around at this stage and say I wouldn't be interested would be wrong."
While ruling himself out of a run this November, Daithi added: 'It won't be this year.
'Will I be interested in seven years? You never know.'
Asked if he would endorse any of the 2025 contenders, he jokingly hinted at his own future run, saying: 'No one has approached me to run this time but I wish them all luck.'
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Ottawa Rose Aidan Russell, Fermanagh Rose Caoimhe Connolly and South Australia Rose Beth Mooney at the launch of the 2025 Rose of Tralee International Festival
Credit: ANDRES POVEDA LTD
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South Australia Rose Beth Mooney has flown back to Ireland for the competition
Credit: instagram/saroseoftrale
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