Athlone hopes rest on Sydney Rose in Tralee

A large Athlone contingent is in Kerry this week hoping Sydney Rose Romy Farrelly, whose mother hails from nearby Drumlosh, will triumph and come away with the 2009 Rose of Tralee crown. The all important decision will be announced tonight (Wednesday) on RTÉ 1 concluding the two-night TV coverage of the pageant, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. As part of the Midlands leg of the Rose Tour, the 50 strong glamorous group, the largest ever to participate in the competition, were welcomed to Athlone last Wednesday by Deputy Mayor Cllr Sheila Buckley-Byrne, who was standing in for Mayor Mark Cooney, who is currently on holidays. All the local interest focused on Sydney Rose Romy Farrelly, whose mother Bernadette, nee Dunning, comes from Drumlosh near Cornafulla. Despite the rain, her spirits were high as she boarded the Viking Ship with the stylish group for a scenic tour of Lough Ree before heading to Ballinasloe later that evening for a special Charity Rose Ball. "It's been brilliant so far. We are treated like royalty and we are having a great laugh," Romy enthused. "It's just great to be able to come to Athlone and Ballinasloe and see all the family as well. My Mum is from Drumlosh so I have lots of family around Athlone town and out that way. Lots of them are also travelling down to Tralee," the 26-year-old added. However, Romy told the Westmeath Independent that a very special person would be missing in Tralee and she hoped to visit Portiuncula Hospital that evening to catch up with her! "My cousin just had a baby today who was supposed to be coming down to Tralee. She's over in Ballinasloe Hospital so I'm going to try and see her. We're in Ballinasloe tonight so I'm going to try and nip up the road to see her and baby Michael," she explained. Currently working as a business manager for Love Recruitment in Sydney, placing Irish backpackers in temporary jobs, the bubbly Rose is joined on the trip by her fiancé Louis. "I've been in Sydney three years and I'm marrying an Aussie for my sins," she joked. "We are getting married next year." Meanwhile, Genevieve O'Reilly, the New Jersey Rose described the whole experience so far as a lot of fun. "We are having a great time. All of the girls are a lot of fun. I'm really enjoying travelling around Ireland and looking forward to getting to Tralee. I've been here before, my father is from Cavan but I have never been to these parts before and what a great way to do it." Standing alongside her taking the sights of Athlone, Milton Keynes Rose Candy Murphy was equally enthusiastic. "I'm loving it. It's such a great honour to share this experience with 49 amazing girls. It's a special year as well with the 50th anniversary. I'm just making wonderful friends."