Clodagh Cassin is crowned 2019 Rose of Kilkenny!
CLODAGH Cassin is the new Rose of Kilkenny. The 22-year-old was the judges’ choice after they had the difficult task of picking a winner from the 26 finalists at last night’s selection event at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel.
But there could only be one, and in the end Clodagh was chosen to go forward to represent Kilkenny at the famous Rose of Tralee International Festival in county Kerry in August.
This year’s Kilkenny Rose, who was sponsored by Brogan’s Bar, is a sports-mad student who is in her final year studying Agricultural Science at UCD. She plans to begin a PME (Master’s in Education) in September and go on to be a secondary school teacher.
Clodagh is a talented hockey player who has travelled the world representing her country at all under-age levels, and she’s not afraid to get hands dirty when she’s back at home helping out on the family farm.
Clodagh said: “When I’m home, I am usually out helping my dad move cattle, driving the tractor or maybe even doing a bit of ploughing!”
Clodagh was a popular winner among her fellow Roses.
Castlecomer’s first ever Rose, Niamh Balkin, said afterwards: “An amazing journey I’ll cherish for a lifetime! The memories and friends I’ve made on this journey have been amazing. Big thanks to Kilkenny Rose of Tralee, and congrats to our new Kilkenny Rose Clodagh! We can’t wait to see you on the big screen.”
Clodagh was confirmed as the 2019 Rose of Kilkenny after a whirlwind few weeks of official engagements and events,
Hundreds of people attended the selection event at the Ormonde Hotel, which kicked off with a free drinks reception courtesy of the local award-winning Ballykeefe Distillery and Brogan’s Bar.
The 26 Roses joined together to give a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ to Kilkenny Rose Coordinator Lyn Moloney, who happened to be celebrating a milestone of her own. The outgoing 2018 Kilkenny Rose Helena Hughes (pictured below) was also in attendance.
The Roses took to the stage at 7.15pm, where they were interviewed by the MC, the comedian and Galway Bay FM presenter Ollie Turner.
Some of the Roses performed their own party pieces, and each of the finalists were accompanied by their own ‘Rose Buds’, young local girls between the ages of five and 10.
A raffle was also held in aid of a local charity, Michael’s Wonder Journey, which set up to help a ‘special little man’ who suffers from a very rare neuro disorder.
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