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Denise Lynch (left) having fun with the Melbourne Rose, Joy Kerrigan at a photoshoot in Dublin earlier this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh
THE Perth Rose will feel pretty much at home this Friday when she comes to Tralee this Friday because, well, it is home!
Denise Lynch is a native of Ballyseedy and emigrated to Western Australia four years ago with her partner, Diarmaid Casey from Ballymac.
The 27 year old and currently completing a Bachelor of Science Degree (Nursing) at Curtin University in Perth but also has over eight years’ experience as a beauty therapist/tutor.
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Perth Rose, Denise Lynch, falls into the water from her Stand Paddling board in Acres Lake, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, while Queensland Rose Niamh Healy, Scotland Rose Brid Madigan and New Zealand Maggie Fealy look on. Photo by Domnick Walsh
“We ended up in Perth four years ago and we haven’t looked back,” said Denise, talking to us from Leitrim where the Roses were staying on Wednesday while on their tour of Ireland.
So how did she get involved?
“I was approached by one of the organisers and there were 13 of us in the contest. We went through many activities – a bit like the Rose of Tralee contest itself – and at [a function at] the end of May I was announced as the winner,” she explained.
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It’s set to be a great homecoming as her family and friends get set to greet her in Tralee.
“My parents, Mary and Clement, and sisters Sarah and Adrienne are delighted. I have aunts and uncles coming from America and from England and friends coming from all over Ireland,” she said.
Denise said there’s a very tight knit Kerry and Irish community in her adopted city.
“I walked into an Irish bar recently and I heard somebody call “Denise” from the side of the bar. It was a friend of mine that I had grown up with all my life and was in school with, so it’s amazing the amount of Irish people over there,” she said.
Denise is really enjoying the week so far and has bonded straight away with the other Roses.
“It’s been absolutely unbelievable. We’ve all the same interests and there’s really no competition there between us. We really have a laugh together and will be delighted for whoever wins,” she said.
It’ll be some week for the Ballyseedy lady.
