PADDY Power is backing Donegal Rose Catherine McCarron to be crowned the 2013 Rose of Tralee.
The 26-year old Raphoe woman is representing Donegal at the 2013 Rose of Tralee festival, which kicks off next week. The event is televised on RTE on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th August.
Catherine is employed as a HR Operational Specialist with Paddy Power – and the bookie has placed a €500 wager on 16/1 Catherine, which stands to win €8,000 for children’s charity Barretstown should she be crowned the winner.
“The Texas rose may be the favourite but were all weighing behind it girl Catherine. She’s a credit to the company and to Donegal. Wee have no doubt that she’ll do everyone proud on the night,” Paddy Power said.
A daughter of John and Margaret McCarron from St Eunan’s Terrace, Raphoe, Catherine is a former pupil of St Eunan’s NS and Deele college in her native Raphoe and is now based in Ranelagh in Dublin. She won through the Donegal heats in March and was one of the Roses chosen from the regional finals in Portlaoise in June.
Catherine is only the second ever Donegal Rose to qualify for the finals in Tralee.
“I am proud and honoured to represent Donegal in the Rose of Tralee. I’m really looking forward to it now.”