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Rose of Tralee Maggie McEldowney. Photo By Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD
MAGGIE McEldowney, the 2016 Rose of Tralee, revealed her plans to travel for the next few months when she returned to Ireland last week.
She also went head-to-head with DJ Eoghan McDermott on The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ to promote the Marie Keating Foundation’s latest fundraising initiative.
Arriving from Chicago on Thursday morning, Maggie announced her plans for the coming year: “I aim to visit every county in Ireland, become the first Rose to visit every Rose Centre throughout North America (18) and in the summer, I hope to head Down Under to Australia and New Zealand. My superiors at work have been great in being flexible with my work schedule to allow me travel and carry out my Rose duties.”
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During her five-day trip to Dublin she received a VIP tour of the Guinness Storehouse, attended a pre-Christmas event hosted by The Loop before being presented with her stunning jewellery and homeware prizes from the festival’s lead sponsor, Tipperary Crystal, at The Village at Lyons, Co Kildare. Maggie also participated in a Christmas-themed photo shoot for Tipperary Crystal, entitled ‘All I want for Christmas’.
She also met the Mayor of Kildare, Cllr Ivan Keatley and the Acting Chief Executive of Kildare County Council, Joe Boland at County Buildings in Naas. Poignantly, Kildare County Council and a host of local flagship attractions, hosted the first stop on the 2016 Rose Tour to Tralee.
A round of press interviews, a photoshoot for VIP Magazine, a guest appearance on TV3’s Seven O’Clock Show and reconnecting with her fellow Roses at the Friends of A Ball capped-off a wonderful weekend for her. She also managed to squeeze in a short drive to Derry in her KIA car to visit family relations.
Maggie McEldowney will travel to Kolkata, India with The HOPE Foundation in November before returning to Ireland for the New Year to launch the search for the 2017 Rose of Tralee in January.
Anyone who would like to enter the Rose of Tralee or become a Rose Escort can do so by completing the online application form at www.roseoftralee.ie.
