‘I felt like I did a good job’
Cavan Rose Grace has a busy few years ahead representing the county
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Cavan Rose Grace Farrelly pictured on stage at the Kerry Sports Academy, MTU, with host Kathryn Thomas during the Rose of Tralee International Festival TV Rose Selection night on Tuesday, August 20. Photo: Domnick WalshImage 2 of 2
The Cavan Rose Grace Farrelly with some of her cousins and supporters in Tralee last week.Cavan Rose Grace Farrelly was coming down from the high of her Rose of Tralee experience when The Anglo-Celt called to catch up.
The Nolagh woman conducted her live Dome interview with Kathryn Thomas, in which she spoke about her love of English inspired by her secondary school teachers at Bailieborough Community School. She spoke particularly of her passion for poetry, mentioning poets such as Adrienne Rich, Sylvia Plath, and Emily Dickinson, and other female role models, naming Mary Robinson.
She gave a powerful performance of ‘Dream A Little Dream’, leaving the crowd, her supporters and family in awe of her singing voice.
Although it wasn’t apparent on stage, the 20 year old confessed to feeling “so nervous” before going live on TV last Tuesday evening.
“Then I was grand because I seen my mam and dad straight away so that actually calmed me,” she said, adding that Kathryn also calmed her nerves.
One of the first questions the Cavan woman received was about her escort, Stephen, whom Grace got on well with during their time together.
“I nearly died,” she laughed.
She felt “absolutely delighted” when New Zealand’s Keely O’Grady won the competition.
“I couldn’t think of a better woman, she’s so brilliant.
“Me and her would have been really good friends during it,” she beamed.
“It feels so weird that it’s over, you’ve known these people, it feels like forever but it was only like a week.”
Grace will hold the Cavan Rose title for the next two years, until 2026. She is looking forward to representing the county during this time. She will walk in the St Patrick’s Day parade on 5th Avenue in New York next March among other events.
“I think I’ll be doing a lot of travelling,” she said excitedly.
The English and Sociology student will return to her studies in Maynooth University at the end of next month. She thanked her family and friends who all made the journey to Kerry to cheer her on, and her local community and sponsors who provided her with some “amazing” support.
“I went on Facebook and everyone had it up, congratulations.
“I got texts, I got calls, it’s been so nice.
“Even people who didn’t have my number were asking mam for it and congratulating me.
“I felt like I did a good job,” said a delighted Grace.