A Co Clare woman has been selected as the 2017 Abu Dhabi Rose for the Rose of Tralee Festival which will take place between 16-22 August.
Niamh Kelly, who is the first of this year’s Roses to be selected, works as a nurse in the Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi.
“I am a proud Clare woman who can be found reciting The Banner Roar whenever the opportunity presents itself. My main loves are sports, fashion, travelling the world with my best friends, Irish music and craic and keeping up with my 94-year-old grandad on Skype. I’m looking forward to representing the Irish community in Abu Dhabi and my family from Clare when I reach Kerry for the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August,” Niamh said.
A farmer’s daughter, Niamh swapped her wellies and calving jack for a stethoscope and thermometer to begin a nursing degree in the University of Limerick in 2009 after which she moved to London before heading to the Middle East in July 2016.
Niamh will be among the 65 Roses from Ireland and Irish communities around the globe who will travel to Kerry for the seven-day festival while the 2017 Rose of Tralee will be crowned live on RTÉ on Tuesday 22nd August.
They will enjoy everything that Ireland’s flagship family festival has to offer – parades, gala functions, entertainment, televised Rose selection nights, a Rose Tour and much more.
The Clare Rose Selection will take place on Saturday 8th April at the Inn at Dromoland and anyone interested in entering can do so online at www.roseoftralee.ie.
To find details of a Rose Selection near you and to apply online, visit www.roseoftralee.ie.