Three Roses have Meath connections

Three Roses vying to be crowned the 50th Rose of Tralee tonight (Wednesday) have connections with the Royal County. Sydney Rose Romy Farrelly was born in Athy and lived in Lucan, Co Dublin, but her late father, Tom Farrelly, was from Oakley Park, near Kells, and Romy still has many relations in Kells and Carnaross. Romy is a daughter of Bernadette Farrelly, and moved to Sydney nearly four years ago, where she works in recruitment. Her mother said there would be a huge crowd travelling to Tralee to support Romy, including her cousins and relations from Meath. Aidan Gillick, father of former Meath footballer PJ, was a great friend of Romy's father, Tom, and he and his wife will also be travelling to Tralee, along with Romy's uncles John, Peader and Ambrose. When asked if Romy is looking forward to the experience, Bernadette said: "Excited is not the word. It is a wonderful opportunity and she is having a ball." Anne McNamee, the Darwin Rose, also has connections with Meath as her father is from Balgree, while one of the grandparents of Meaghan Murphy, the Boston and New England Rose, is from Meath. Some 50 Roses from all over the world arrived in Tralee last week for the beginning of the Rose of Tralee International Festival which runs until 29th August. The Rose of Tralee selection is being televised live on RTE television and the 2009 Rose will be announed tonight (Wednesday).