The 1968 Clare Rose was one of a bunch of 27 former Rose of Tralee winners who marched in the New York St Patrick’s Parade last Saturday. Clarecastle woman, Eileen Slattery Mostafa teamed up with her sister roses when the 1994 Rose, Muirne Hurley Goode, put out a call on their WhatsApp group. Battling breast cancer at the time, the Limerick woman had a dream to march in the famous parade, and the roses stepped up to the plate to help her realise it. The current Rose of Tralee, New York rose, Róisín Wiley, along with many of the 2023 contestants and escorts also participated in the event.
“The seed was sown by our lovely 1994 Rose. She had the idea to live out a life long desire to walk in this special parade on St Patrick’s Day,” Eileen told The Clare Champion this week.
“Courageous Muirne sent out the word to her fellow rose sisters. The response was amazing with over 20 roses signing up for the trip. I immediately signed on and as they say, the rest is history.
“The power of one woman, inspired a whole group of women to follow on an extraordinary journey and make history. The spontaneity, charm, grace and friendship of the Rose of Tralee is alive and well and I am proud to be part of this unique group of inspiring, strong women.”
The unique group of women indeed made history as they marched the parade linking arms, wearing the green and donning crocheted Aran hats with little roses which were specially made by friends of the 1989 Rose, Sinead Boyle. The woman who once wowed the judges at Tralee, the agile 1962 Rose, Ciara Byrne thrilled the Manhattan crowds with a spontaneous little jig along the parade route.
“Seeing the sheer pride and joy on the faces of the waving crowds and seeing the smiling faces of the two million people, men, women and children, united under the green white and gold. This image of the people proudly sporting their Aran sweaters and green of all colours, bagpipes playing will remain etched in my memory forever,” she said.
Another special moment over the four-day trip was when the women attended Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on March 17. Representing her home county in the 1968 competition is something Eileen has held dear over her lifetime.
“Representing beautiful Clarecastle and County Clare as the 1968 Rose of Tralee was both an honour, pleasure, pride and privilege,” she said.
“So was walking in the New York St Patrick’s Day Parade 2024. It was a privilege to walk in the footsteps of the many people who have walked in the parade since 1762.”
Sharon Dolan D’Arcy covers West Clare news. After completing a masters in journalism at University of Galway, Sharon worked as a court reporter at the Sligo Weekender. She was also editor of the Athenry News and Views.