Monaghan Rose Anne-Marie McArdle says legacy of her late mum will inspire her in race for Tralee crown (2024)

The 26-year-old Carrickmacross native will fulfil a childhood dream when representing her county in front of a worldwide audience.

It’s a hair-raising scenario which, nonetheless, is likely to summon all of the primary school teacher’s inner resolve.

“I would have watched it (Rose of Tralee) with my mum, my sisters too and my dad would have watched it as well,” she said.

“It was always something I wanted to do as a child but then sadly my mum passed away two years ago.

“She used to tell me as a child: ‘You go for that when you are older’ so she was my cheerleader.

“She would have been a big fan and would have had it on in the house and would say: ‘Look at this, this is the Rose of Tralee’ which was how I would have got into it in the first place and even prior to that it was always something I wanted to do, but she pushed me and that was probably the big thing because had she not done so, I am not sure whether I would have or not.”

Having previously applied prior to the ensuing fallout from the Coronavirus pandemic which broke out in 2020, Anne-Marie’s desire to enter the Rose of Tralee fray culminated in her being crowned Monaghan Rose at the end of May.

And just like the emotions this week and an undoubtedly her appearance on stage next week will bring, those achievements still leave an indelible mark in her own memory.

“It was so lovely because the night I got selected was actually her anniversary which made it that bit more bittersweet,” she candidly explained.

Fast forward over two months and the fitness afficionado is itching to both vindicate her mother’s enduring legacy as well as uphold the virtues of a county she could not be any prouder of.

Her take on a festival which is over six decades in existence is just as distinct, stressing its relevance is arguably more significant than ever before.

“I think it is amazing and I think it’s 65 years now or something since it started,” she said. “It’s traditional and it’s a celebration of women. Someone said it to me and while I don’t know if it’s true that it gets more viewers than the All-Ireland. Whether it does or not, I think it is something that people love to watch.

“You have women coming from all different backgrounds and it’s got nothing to do with your job or looks and it’s not a pageant.

“I think it’s more about you, yourself, your personality and what you represent and what you are willing to do as well.

“I think it is a very positive thing and amongst all the things that are happening in the world, there are worse things you could be giving out about. In my opinion, it is a great thing to have and to continue. We need it too as there is a lot of negative things happening in the world and this is something incredibly positive.”

Having completed her first year of teaching at St Vincent’s Girls National School in Dublin’s northeast inner city, Anne-Marie is not the kind of personality to rest on her professional, everyday laurels.

A self-confessed gym and running enthusiast, the amiable Monaghan woman is equally at home in a pair of dancing shoes and hiking boots, interests which go a long way towards illustrating her zest for her home county and community of Carrickmacross.

“I love running and I completed two half marathons last year and I would love to complete a full one soon enough if I can and while I get the chance to,” she added.

“I also love music as my undergraduate degree was in music and English. I enjoy singing and while I am not a professional, I enjoy it. I like to dance and I love the country music scene and the dancing. I love listening to traditional Irish music and going to all the different country events that Monaghan is known for.”

And as thoughts inevitably turn to next week with the eyes and ears of the country and beyond on her, Anne-Marie said the sheer thoughts of having so much support behind her were sentiments she will remain forever indebted for.

“There is a lot of people coming and to be honest, I couldn’t tell you how many,” she said.

“I have some coming from work in the school as well and they come different parts of Ireland to support which is lovely.

“My own family are going down on Thursday and we get to Tralee on the Friday so while it’s mad in that time is flying and that it is coming so quick, it is great to have the support of people in the community and I know people will be cheering me on hopefully from their sitting rooms if they can’t make it to Tralee.”