CLARE Rose Joanne O’Gorman from Cratloe will represent her county in the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August.
Joanne, a QC technician in Wyeth Nutrition Nestle in Askeaton, is one of 23 Roses who were shortlisted at The Rose of Tralee Regional Finals in Portlaoise at the weekend. She will now appear at the televised stages of the event in Tralee with Daithi Ó Sé.
Last year’s Clare Rose, Marie Donnellan of Newmarket on Fergus, was the county’s first competitor in the international event for seven years.
Microbiologist Joanne is certainly looking forward to the opportunity of a lifetime.
“I really haven’t had much of a chance to catch my breath to be honest. I am so delighted and honoured to have been given the opportunity to represent my county, I really can’t wait to enjoy every single moment of the journey, wherever it may take me.”
A keen tag rugby enthusiast, Joanne is a very proud Clare woman and can often be found wandering on walks through Cratloe Woods taking in the beauty that the area has to offer. She loves the sense of loves the tranquillity that nature brings.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.