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RTÉ News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Rose of Tralee: The best moments from night two
Night two in The Dome was an evening of laughter, tears, jiving, tattoos and birthday surprises. Here are our highlights of the night... Little Ella gets a very nice birthday surprise One little lady had a birthday she won't forget live in The Dome on Tuesday night. Ella, the daughter of Limerick Rose Leah McMahon and her fiancé Al, turned eight today and she was presented with a birthday cake by Dáithí as the whole place sang Happy Birthday. Proud mum Leah, who is a 29-yer-old financial advisor, told Kathryn that Ella had made her a special bracelet for her week with the Roses - and her dress was also a bit of a showstopper. It was a green, fitted "ode to Limerick," featuring patterns of pictures of local landmarks St John's Castle and Thomond Park. Leah also gave a passionate speech about the importance of financial planning for women and tackled criticism of the whole Rose of Tralee concept. Kathryn even mentioned the now rather jaded "Lovely Girls" dig, and Leah said, "I know from my work that men and women are not on a level playing field so we need events like the Rose of Tralee to build us up." That got quite a cheer in The Dome. Ottawa Rose delivers emotional tribute in song to her late father Ottawa Rose Aidan Russell (27), who works in Indigenous Services and once served at the Canadian Embassy in Dublin, had a moving story on Tuesday evening that pretty much summed up the whole spirit of the Rose of Tralee. Sadly, she lost her beloved father last year and it was he who gave her a love of Ireland. She said that representing Ottawa is her way to celebrate his Irish roots. Aidan had to take a break from her Rose duties earlier this week when she was overcome by the "outpouring of love and support" from her fellow Roses in what has been a very emotional time for her. To honour her dad, she sang a very moving version of Hilary Duffs Someone's Watching Over Me. Happy days for Sydney Rose's dad Sydney Rose Laura Foley, a 26-year-old occupational therapist and public health researcher, was making her very first trip to Ireland but her dad, Michael, was nearly in danger of stealing the limelight from under her nose. Michael, who hails from Kilkenny and emigrated to Australia in the nineties, has been known as Fonzie since he was 12 years old so Kathryn decided to get in on the act by presenting him with a leather jacket. However, he was already sat in the audience wearing one - along with a bowtie. He did don a pair of shades for the occasion. Heeeeyyy! Texas Rose shares inspiring cancer story For our money, 21-year-old Texas Rose Sarah Costa wore the gúna of the night - a dark purple number embroidered with silver (not yellow) roses. She told Kathryn that she tried poitín for the first time during the week and said that it cured the sniffles she had when she first arrived in Ireland. Her proud father was in the audience in The Dome wearing a very impressive black Stetson and Austin native Sarah told the story of how her great, great grandfather arrived in New York from Sligo and ended up living a tough life as a miner. Sarah herself has also had a tough time - when she was only 18 she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and her story was an inspiration to anyone who may be facing similar challenges. She also showed off the scar from her operation and it brought a very human touch to the night. Toronto Rose tries Irish dancing for the first time in eight years 26-year-old political science graduate Rachel Hoare had quite a story to tell on Tuesday night in The Dome. She is currently working as a banker but wants to be a teacher - despite the fact that she has dyscalculia, a learning disability that affects one's ability to understand and work with numbers. She also suffered a stroke when she was just five years old but none of that has held her back. A lesson for all of us there. She admitted that she was "out of her comfort zone" being on the Roses stage, adding, "But I have to push myself." After a very quick dress change, she then performed a very impressive hard shoe dance at her sister's special request - and it was the first time she'd tried Irish dancing in eight years. The show must go on for South Australian Rose Beth Somebody very special was looking down on South Oz Rose Beth Mooney on Tuesday night. The Dublin native arrived on The Dome stage in a very eye-catching baby pink dress and was a model of composure after what had been a very tough few days. Only yesterday, Beth, who is a dancer, had buried her grandmother Lucy but as Beth told Kathryn, "There is no way my grandmother would have let me miss this. I am representing her." Beth also touched on one of the biggest Irish news stories of recent weeks when she revealed that she had suffered from scoliosis and had a spinal fusion procedure when she was younger. And she more than proved that there is life after scoliosis by dancing to a version of Nothing Compares 2 U.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas crown 2025 Rose of Tralee
Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins was crowned the 2025 Rose of Tralee tonight as 32 Roses hit the stage at MTU's Sports Academy in Kerry. Co-hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas announced the winner who will be able to trot the globe for the next year with a €25,000 travel bursary. During Tuesday night's show, Limerick Rose Leah McMahon said critics don't understand the Rose of Tralee, as it's a way to 'celebrate and build women up'. The 29-year-old took to the stage last night in a one-of-a-kind green gown that showcased the city's best landmarks. Not long ago the Limerick Rose wouldn't have been allowed enter the competition, as she has an eight-year-old daughter, Ella. Leah told host Kathryn Thomas it has been difficult being away from her daughter at times while on the tour. However, she has joined her at certain stages, which has been 'a privilege'. She continued: 'This morning was tough because it was her birthday, I have always taken the day off and I wasn't there this morning. But I think seeing me up here she will get it and next year we will probably be going to the cinema so we will soak it all up!' Dáithí Ó Sé brought out a massive sponge cake with candles and the audience sang to her. (Image: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD) Her little girl was in the audience cheering her mother on when she got the surprise of her life. Dáithí Ó Sé brought out a massive sponge cake with candles and the audience sang to her. Earlier in the night, Ottawa Rose Aidan Russell said she entered the Rose of Tralee to honour her late father from Northern Ireland. The 27-year-old was working in Dublin at the Embassy of Canada to Ireland last year when she received the devastating news that her father was going to die. He had been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune and neurological condition, and the family lost him just before Christmas. She didn't make it home to Canada on time to say goodbye, but fondly remembers their last phone call, saying: 'We had a really quick chat, he said he was in pain, he said 'I love you, I'll call you later,' that was our last phone call." The Ottawa Rose then stunned the crowd with a rendition of Someone's Watching Over Me, which was a tribute to her late dad. Ottawa Rose Aidan Russel on Tuesday's final (Image: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD) Toronto Rose Rachel Hoare received a round of applause from the audience, as Kathryn Thomas said she was 'amazing'. She candidly spoke about her struggles as a child, and her new dream to become a teacher. At just five years old she had a stroke, and struggled in school as she was diagnosed with dyscalculia and ADHD. While she has had a successful career as a banker, she wants to help children that find school difficult. She said: 'Dyscalcula is like dyslexia but numbers, but yet I'm successful in banking, never tell me no. 'At the age of 5 I had a stroke. That offered challenges. But I feel like it's made me who I am today. I wouldn't change it for the world. (The Rose of Tralee) has been a little bit overwhelming but it has been pushing me out of my comfort zone.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ottawa Rose opens up about tragic loss of father and last phone call they shared
Rose of Tralee contestant Aidan Russel has opened up about the death of her father, bravely telling of the last phone call she had with her beloved dad. Ottawa Rose Aidan said she entered the Rose of Tralee to honour her late beloved father from Northern Ireland. The 27-year-old was working in Dublin at the Embassy of Canada to Ireland last year when she received the devastating news that her father was going to die. He had been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune and neurological condition, and the family lost him just before Christmas. She didn't make it home to Canada on time to say goodbye, but fondly remembers their last phone call, saying: 'We had a really quick chat, he said he was in pain, he said 'I love you, I'll call you later,' that was our last phone call." Sadly, while in Ireland this week for the Rose of Tralee, Aidan became overwhelmed with grief, prompting her to take a step back. But her fellow Roses were there to support her. "We had a really tough night on Wednesday, we were dealing with some of the legal stuff. The outpouring of love and support I got from 31 girls who I'd known for four days... I can't begin to describe how much love, support and kindness I felt that night." The Ottawa Rose then stunned the crowd with a rendition of Someone's Watching Over Me, which was a tribute to her late dad. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
