When dreams come true

SINCE I was a child, I’ve always dreamed of being a Rose, and every August I hoped to one day be part of the amazing tradition that is the Rose of Tralee.
A year ago, when a friend asked me to enter, I laughed and said “I’m not a Rose”. Then, a few days later, I started working in Montrose in Dublin and when I was asked again I thought, “why not?” Maybe getting a job in Montrose was a sign. Since that day, I have never looked back and this year has just been a whirlwind since that night in May last year.
I was lucky enough to meet some amazing young women at the selection in Ennis and at the time I had no expectations. It certainly didn’t cross my mind that I would ever be chosen as the Clare Rose, I was just looking forward to enjoying the experience and getting to know the girls. I later realised that whatever is for you will not pass you.
I can still remember the feeling that night chatting to the MC, Paul Moriarty, on stage and how it only felt like seconds before it was over. Once I left the stage, I wanted to go straight back up and do it all over again because it was such an amazing experience. Then it was the anticipation of the announcement. I remember being on stage with all the other girls when my name was announced but I continued to clap as my body was frozen solid with everyone looking at me. Then the ‘Rose of Tralee’ song started and I was startled but I didn’t know whether to cry, laugh or wake up from the dream. I had been crowned the Clare Rose.
In complete shock, I was suddenly centre stage with Ciarán O’Connell (Clare Rose of Tralee Centre chairman) placing the Clare Rose of Tralee sash over me and a tiara on my head. I was shocked, amazed and so proud. I can’t quite describe the feeling that those few moments brought to me but what I can say is that being crowned the Clare Rose of Tralee was without a doubt one of the biggest highlights of my year. It was only later on in the year that I fully realised just what it meant.
My family and friends were all there in the audience but they were even more shocked then me. However, my sponsor, Jean MacCabe from Willow Boutique on O’Connell Street in Ennis, was calm and collected and had always believed I would be chosen. It was an incredible night and when I looked at my father’s face, he knew that his little girl’s dream had finally come true. As I child I used to take over the television in the house for those two nights in the year, picking out my favourite Roses but my dad always told me that I was his Rose. That night in May didn’t just bring joy to me but also to my family. I was no longer just Daddy’s Rose – I was the Clare Rose of Tralee.
The Clare escort Jim Healy was also chosen that night and I was truly blessed to have an amazing guy by my side throughout the year. Taking my photograph with Jim was great, as he was so strong and so much taller than me. He really did feel like my very own bodyguard, which only a true escort can be. From that night on, Jim was my escort of the year and in every project, idea or event, he was there in full support of me. We are great friends and I will always know he will be the ultimate gentleman, bodyguard and great friend, even when the sash is gone. He bag-packed for 12 hours in Ennis for my trip to Chernobyl and with his help we raised almost €4,000. I still have elderly ladies asking me about my fine strong escort in Ennis.
After the selection, it was on to preparing for the regional finals in Portlaoise. Despite doing interviews on radio and for newspapers and receiving all the good wishes from the people of Clare, I had to continually pinch myself because I felt like I was in a dream. Without the help of the centre and Willow, I would not have had a clue what to wear or what to expect in Portlaoise. Time was of the essence and Willow kitted me out with beautiful dresses and outfits for the regional finals. Poppy Bridal in Ennis also gave me a ballgown for the night on stage. The support from local businesses in Clare was incredible, not only for the regional finals but also throughout the whole year.
At the regional finals I met the most amazing, talented, intelligent and fabulous group of Roses, both national and international. It all started at the Carlton Hotel in Portlaoise, where I discovered I was sharing a room with Maria McCole, the Donegal Rose. On that Friday she was just another Rose but by Monday we were such close friends and still are. That is the incredible thing about the Rose of Tralee, it is honestly just one big family. Everyone looks out for each other and supports each other through thick and thin.
Sadly, I did not make it past regionals, but my reign was not over and the friendships I made did not end there. After the regionals, I worked with various charities and found that the title of Clare Rose opened up many other opportunities for me that I would have never considered prior to submitting my application form. I worked with my employers Bank of Ireland, who have been incredible supportive throughout the year, on various DVDs for the bank and also participated in various events involving Leinster Rugby and University College Dublin, whom the branch are affiliated to.
Throughout the past 12 months, I have also learned the importance of community. I have worked with many charities in the county, such as TLC4CF, Cahercalla Hospice, The Irish Heart Foundation and Croí, to name but a few. Through working with these charities, I now understand that the backbone of any community is its people and from the bottom of my heart, I cannot express how much of an honour it was to represent the Banner County and its people. County Clare is incredibly beautiful and from New Quay to Loop Head, across to Killaloe and everywhere in between, its beauty is breathtaking, its communities strong and its people inspiring. From my participation in Clare’s Got Talent, I realise how important these communities are and how they nurture raw talent through their schools, with the likes of drama, dancing lessons and countless others.
Another highlight of my year was when I had the honour of welcoming the Rose Tour to the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, a natural wonder of the world on our very own doorstep.
However, the most incredible opportunity I had as a Rose was to join a team of volunteers with the Adi Roche Chernobyl Children’s International Project. I was asked by Brendan Galvin to join his team of 12 roses and I jumped at the chance. We headed off to an orphanage in Vesnova, Belarus. This, to me, was the true meaning of what it is to be a Rose and I have never been prouder to wear the Clare Rose sash as I was in that orphanage. I was honoured to be part of the group of Roses I went over with and I grew to love and respect each and every one of them so much.
Visiting the orphanage was, without a doubt, the hardest thing I have ever done. It was shocking, heartbreaking and inspiring all at the same time. I was given the opportunity to offer hope to a child and having one of them smile back when you just hold them in your arms is both heartbreaking and incredible. Without the Rose of Tralee I would not have had the opportunity to go on such a trip and spend a week with 170 children who taught me to change my perspective on things and look at things in a different light. Without this trip I would not have had the opportunity to meet the inspiring Adi Roche and for that I am truly grateful.
It is such an honour to be the 2011 Clare Rose of Tralee because I have had the opportunity to represent my Willow, my family, my community and my friends. I cannot believe this year is going to end soon but I can say for certain that the memories never will.
To every girl out there whose dream is to be part of the Rose of Tralee, don’t hesitate. It is the easiest application form you will ever fill in and the most rewarding one. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the amazing family that is the Rose of Tralee. This time last year, I was dreamer. Now, 12 months on, I am a believer and I am a Rose.
This is what I’ve learnt from being chosen as the Clare Rose. I never expected it and I just tried to be myself throughout the whole experience: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are”.

Lán Grá,
Grace Cummins,
Clare Rose of Tralee 2011

The Clare Rose of Tralee Centre is still accepting applications from eligible young ladies across the county who would like to become a part of the Rose of Tralee family and apply to be a Rose in the Clare Rose Selection night on April 27.
To get an information pack, email theclarerose@gmail.com, find us on facebook and twitter, or call or text Ciarán 086 3871635 or Barry on 086 0223206.
The deadline for the receipt of applications has been extended to Friday, April 13. Have you got what it takes to follow in Grace’s footsteps and maybe become the 2012 Clare Rose of Tralee?