Meath Rose, Elysha Brennan is overcome with emotion after being named 2015 Rose of Tralee. Photo by Domnickm Walsh
A DELIGHTED but shocked Elysha Brennan faced the press just minutes after being named Rose of Tralee and had a special mention for a woman she met in the palliative care unit in Tralee today.
The Meath Rose, a 22 year old student from Bettystown, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma during her repeat Leaving Certificate year when she was 19.
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Roses come to congratulate Elysha Brennan after her name was announced. Photo by Domnick Walsh
She has been two years in remission but having undergone chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the time.
Tonight though, she couldn’t have been happier.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I dream I would be sitting here. It’s just been such an incredible experience in my life. I suppose I’ve experienced the lowest of lows and this is the highest of highs,” she said.
“To become a Rose was my Rose of Tralee. This has surpassed any sort of dreams or hopes or aspirations I’ve ever had. I went into this looking at it as an experience and it’s certainly been the best experience of my life,” she said
When asked did she pay attention to the favourite tag she said: “Well my dad was telling everybody to bet on me, but I wouldn’t take any heed of that.”
And what of her further studies?
“To be honest I’m living in the moment and I haven’t even thought that far ahead.”
She also mentioned a lady she met on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’d like to mention a woman I met today named Helen in Palliative Care in Kerry Hospice. I suppose speaking to her, everything happens for a reason. I cried for an hour and it kind of brought me back to the earth and I realised that I’m here for a reason and I knew that the Rose of Tralee was brought into my life for a reason,” she said.
