5 days ago
Mayo Rose on how her son gave her 'new purpose' after tragic death of her sister
When 24-year-old Clara Gardiner steps onto the Rose of Tralee stage this August as the Mayo Rose, she'll carry more than a sash and a smile.
Behind her is a story of heartbreak and resilience, the loss of her beloved sister to Hydrocephalus sparked a grief that reshaped her world, and that initially set Clara on the road to Tralee.
The Mayo native spoke candidly about navigating life after loss, and how the arrival of her baby boy brought light back into her days, giving her a new lease on life she never thought possible. Ohio Rose Fiona Conway, Armagh Rose Erin McCormac and Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner. Pic: Domnick Walsh
Hailing from a small village called Kilfian in north Mayo, Clara is currently balancing raising her three-year-old son with the pageantry of representing her county.
' I suppose I have myself and also him to think about and prepare beforehand,' she stressed. 'He's really looking forward to coming down to Tralee as well on his holidays and being on the telly.'
' It's really exciting and I suppose it's been really, really nice to kind of do something for me,' she added. ' I feel like this experience has been really good for my individual and personal growth.'
Clara is eager to use her newfound platform for good, spreading awareness about Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland, a cause close to her heart.
'My sister was actually born with Hydrocephalus and we were members of the branch since she was born. She passed away in 2019,' she disclosed, revealing her sister passed at just 16-years-old.
' We'd always go on family holidays together, like during the summer, and it nearly always fell during the Rose of Tralee. Fermanagh Rose Caoimhe Connolly and Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner. Pic: Domnick Walsh
' Our last family holiday, one of my most vivid memories is going down to Tralee the day after the festival and they were taking the dome down and there was like a cardboard cut out of Dáithí and you'd go in beside him like you were a rose.
'I remember thinking, 'oh, that's the closest we'd ever get to it,' and now I'm in the experience. It's really surreal.'
Following the heartbreaking loss, Clara was blessed with the arrival of her son, whom she credits for getting her through one of the toughest times in her life. Cork Rose Nancy Lehane, Carlow Rose Katie Ryan, Down Rose Anna Mulholland and Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner. Pic: Domnick Walsh
' I probably wouldn't be doing this without him, because he brought a new purpose to my life after my sister passed away,' she emotionally declared.
'He really inspired me to just go out there and live life. Also becoming a mother as well, kind of in the beginning you might think to yourself opportunities like this aren't an option for you, that you're just a mother and that's it.'
' I wanna show other young mothers as well that there's so much more to you as well. Like, yes, I'm a mother, but I'm also a singer. I'm a teacher, I'm a student.'
