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The new Rose of Tralee, Kirsten Mate Maher. Photo by Domnick Walsh
KIRSTEN Mate Maher from Waterford is the new Rose of Tralee. It’s the third time a Waterford Rose has won. Orla Burke won in 1977 and Brenda Hyland in 1983.
There were emotional scenes as the 21 years old from the Deise heard her name called out by Daithi O Se in Tuesday night at the Dome. Kirsten is the first African-Irish contestant to win as her mother is Irish and father is from Zambia originally.
Kirsten was looking forward to attending Waterford Institute of Technology in September to study Multimedia and Application Development with a view to pursuing a career in computer programming.
She sings with the island of Ireland Peace Choir which was formed in the wake of The Omagh bombing Co. Tyrone 1998.
She plays hockey with Waterford Ladies 1st team and we are currently competing at Munster Division 1 level.
She has a big love for animals, especially horses and dogs and has been horse riding since she was five years old.
