Class act Orla crowned Clare Rose 2012

Ennis teacher Orla McDonagh was crowned Clare Rose 2012 in front of a packed house at the selection event in The West County Hotel on Friday night.

Twenty six-year-old Orla is originally from Ennistymon but is now living in Gort. She teaches music and Irish at Ennis Community College/Gaelcholáiste an Chláir and has a Diploma in Elocution from Griffith College Dublin.
Orla is an accomplished pianist and runs her own music school, teaching piano. She is also involved with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Ennistymon where she teaches Traditional Irish Music. Orla is well used to the stage having performed as a singer and is trained in classical and sean nós styles.
Orla was selected from 19 elegant women from across the county contending to be crowned the 2012 Clare rose at this year’s hugely successful event. Orla will now go forward to represent Clare in the Irish regional finals at the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel on the June Bank Holiday weekend.
“The night was a great success with a full house of over 300 members of the public, VIPs and all the county’s mayors in attendance to witness the talented young Clare ladies on stage, but also to experience a taste of what the whole Rose of Tralee had to offer,” said Ciarán O’Connell, chairman of the Clare Rose Centre.
“MC Paul Moriarty was a big hit with the crowd and we will definitely be seeing him at Tralee’s big job sometime soon. An added feature this year were the local businesses which had promomtion stands in the packed event room.
“Proceeds from the selection raffle went to Cahercalla Hospice raising over €950 on the night. I think everyone had a great time and we would all like to wish Orla continued success as she endeavours to become the first Clare International Rose in Tralee since 2006,” he continued.
The 2012 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from August 19 to 24.