Rose of Tralee Maggie McEldowney getting ready to run for charities. Photo by Domnick Walsh
BEING the Rose of Tralee is certainly not a sprint as Maggie McEldowney has confirmed by deciding to take part in a number of long distance running events for charities over the remaining months of her reign.
She plans to raise money for good causes on both sides of the Atlantic by taking part in 5k, 10k and longer distance running events around the world before handing over her sash and tiara on 22nd August.
The first event will be the Tralee International Half Marathon on Saturday 18th March, during her first return visit to Tralee since being crowned the Rose of Tralee.
In the process, she will raise funds and awareness for two charities – Baile Mhuire Day Care Centre for the Elderly in Tralee and Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago.
Maggie McEldowney, whose grandmother, Brigid O’Neill, was born and raised in Maghera, Co. Derry, said: “What better way to honor the Irish diaspora than through two Irish charity organizations from across the world. For me, there’s no better place to honor it than from where it all started this year – in the beautiful town of Tralee. Please consider a donation to my efforts for the Baile Mhuire Centre and the Young Irish Fellowship of Chicago charities; your gift will be shared between these very deserving causes. Through your generosity, you will be with me every step of the way, and I hope you know what a tremendous impact your gift will have on the lives of so many all across the world.”
The Rose of Tralee International Festival has had strong links to many charities over the years with The Hope Foundation, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, Voluntary Services Overseas, Adi Roche’s Chernobyl, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, to name a few, with all benefitting from the difference that Roses can make to the lives of others.
Maggie McEldowney has said that one aspect of Irish culture she respects most in her own community is the loyalty and commitment to supporting, protecting, and caring for one another.
“As the Rose of Tralee, I have the supreme privilege of representing my Rose family, and the many qualities and values the Rose of Tralee Festival so proudly cherishes,” said Maggie.
Anyone who wishes to donate money to support Maggie’s efforts in the Tralee International Half-Marathon and other upcoming running events, can do so at youcaring.com/roseoftraleeracesforcharity.
Maggie will return to Ireland on Monday 13th March for the second leg of her tour of Ireland to search for the next Rose of Tralee and during her visit she’ll be a guest at the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin.
Selections will take place across Ireland and in Irish Centres around the world from February to June and anyone interested in entering their local Rose of Tralee event can do so online at roseoftralee.ie.
The 2017 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from 16 to 22 August in Kerry and Maggie intends to round off her year of running back in Tralee in the Rose of Tralee International 10k on Sunday 20th August.
