By Róise Collins
With the 2023 Mary from Dungloe Festival drawn to a close, all eyes have shifted south of the country for the next fix of Irish pageantry as the Rose of Tralee makes a much anticipated return to our television screens.
There is a great excitement locally as Donegal woman Amy Gillen will this year represent the county as the London Rose.
Amy told the Donegal News that the experience so far has been one massive “pinch me moment” as it has always been a dream of hers to compete.
She fondly reminisced on the many years she spent religiously watching the Rose of Tralee from her late granny, Peggy Rooney’s house in Letterkenny.
Amy said that a loving shove of encouragement from her granny Peggy is the reason she will be standing in the famous dome in the kingdom of Kerry next week.
Her supportive granny had a great eye for talent as she also encouraged Amy’s cousin Elysha Brennan to stand as the Meath Rose in 2015.
Elysha was crowned the Rose of Tralee that same year.
Amy’s journey to Tralee started back in May when she was selected from a pool of 15 potential London Roses, as she wowed judges with a fabulous flute performance.
She hasn’t stopped since.
She flew home last week for a breath of the fresh Donegal air before being swept up in a whirlwind of excitement.
On Tuesday she travelled to Barberstown Castle to meet with co-hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas and tomorrow (Friday) all 32 Roses will start a week-long Rose Tour that kicks off in the sunny South East of the country, before they reach Tralee on Friday, August 18.
Amy first moved to London in 2018 to pursue a career in music. She studied at the Royal College of Music, where she completed her Masters of Music in Classical and Jazz Flute.
She graduated in 2020 and was awarded the Tagore Gold Medal by King Charles for her contribution musically and to the life of the Royal College of Music.
Earlier this year she released her debut album, Flute Chapters.
Through her esteemed music career she has become very familiar with the spotlight, but this is the first time she has competed in a competition like this.
“I’m so excited because this is a once in a lifetime experience and it is never going to happen again,” Amy said.
“The main thing I want to do now is just enjoy the journey and savour every moment.”
As soon as she was selected as the London Rose the social invitations came flooding in, including an invitation to the prestigious Royal Ascot. She has also been very busy using her platform to advocate for charitable causes close to her heart, including a fundraising event for St Andrews Youth club, a local youth club where she works as part of the Westminster performing art school.
“I thought there was no better charity for me to support, because I see first-hand the incredible work they do for young people in Westminster and surrounding areas,” she said.
The London Rose said it is fantastic to have an amazing community behind her, from London to Donegal and even further afield. She thanked them all.
“Their support has been incredible from family friends, to complete strangers, who are all equally as excited to be part of the journey along with me,” she said.
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