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The new Kerry Rose Emer Dineen in Tralee Town Park on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT’S been quite the weekend for a young Castlegregory woman who won the Kerry Rose title on Friday night.
Emer Dineen was feeling excited about the months ahead when we caught up with her at Tralee Town Park on Saturday afternoon.
The 23 year old radiographer described her reaction after her name was called out at the selection night at the Heights Hotel Killarney.
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“I was shell-shocked. I was genuinely was not expecting it at all. All of the girls were so lovely and looked fantastic on the stage. I was really surprised but so delighted,” said Emer who was overwhelmed with the messages of support since Friday night.
Emer said she loved her time getting to know the fellow Kerry Rose contestants over the past few weeks.
“We got to know each other well and it was fantastic. There was no sense of competitiveness, it was just a nice group of girls becoming friends. We’re now going to stay friends and meet up.”
The new Kerry Rose Emer Dineen with Rose of Tralee 2023 Róisín Wiley in Tralee Town Park on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
So why did Emer apply to be a Rose?
“My mom put my application through, but we did it together as my grandad always wanted me to become a Rose, so I thought why not? My family were all behind me on it.”
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“It’s so important to me to represent my community and the girls that have come before me. I’m excited for every single event, to get to know the other Roses and to get on the stage. It’ll be so much fun to be on the other side of it,” said Emer who regularly attended festival events in town over the years.
Emer is employed by Children’s Health Ireland and her work as a radiographer takes her to Temple Street, Connolly and Tallaght Paediatic Wings.
“I love Dublin. I live close to Temple Street so its fantastic, there’s always such a buzz around Dublin.”
The new Kerry Rose Emer Dineen in Tralee Town Park on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
The daughter of Margaret and Pádraig Dineen, Emer has two siblings, also in Dublin — Tara who is a physiotherapist in the Mater Hospital and Aideen is studying in TUD.
Emer was joined in the Town Park on Saturday by current Rose of Tralee, Róisín Wiley, who no doubt offered advice and filled her in on the fun that she can look forward to between now and late August!
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