Meath Rose Meghan Byrne takes to the stage in Tralee tonight

Meath Rose Meghan Byrne is set to take to the stage this evening in Kerry for the 60th Rose of Tralee International Festival.  Primary School teacher Meghan (26)  from Kells says that she hopes to bring a modern touch to the iconic festival that kicks off tonight. 

Dáithí Ó Sé is preparing to act as host for the 10th time over the next two nights when over one million viewers are expected to watch the 32 International Roses. The Diamond Jubilee Rose of Tralee will be crowned on Tuesday night while the 2019 Rose Escort of the Year, as voted by the Roses and his fellow Rose Escorts, will be announced tonight.

The proud Kells woman who teaches 3rd and 4th classes in Rathmore Primary School caught the attention of the judging panel by performing an incredible 100kg deadlift as part of her entertainment piece. Having toyed with the idea of applying to represent Meath in the famous festival, Meghan was spurred on by a psychic medium who predicted that she would go far in the competition.

“I went to a medium a few months ago when my grandmother passed away. He said: ‘I feel you have been thinking about doing the Rose of Tralee, I think you should go for it and give it a shot.’

“I was really shocked because I hadn’t told anyone about it. I wasn’t taking anything as gospel from him, it was just a bit of fun. I was more intrigued by it then going in full-on believing it but it put it back into my head again.”

 

 Meath Rose, Meghan  teaches 3rd and 4th classes in Rathmore Primary School

The Kells teacher says that she didn’t apply to win but for the opportunities can come with it.

“There are not many means of meeting new friends when you become an adult and I thought that this would be a nice way to meet girls with similar interests. I thought it would be a bit of fun and push me out of my comfort zone.”

After applying online, Meghan was asked to attend a meet and greet day followed by a selection night in the Newgrange Hotel where she was announced as The Meath Rose 2019, something she wasn’t expecting.

“I nearly died because I genuinely wasn’t standing there thinking I might win,” she says, adding: “They had said to us in jest earlier on in the day that when the winner is announced, make sure you don’t have a big disappointed face on because you are going to be photographed. So I was just thinking to myself, just have your face ready and don’t look disappointed.

“I had no expectations. I just tried to be myself and relax on the stage. When my name was called out it was such a rush of emotions, it was amazing, it was such a good moment.”

She says that expecting nothing out of it bar the experience of being involved in the competition allowed her to relax enough for her personality to come through and win over the judges.

“I think I was very relaxed on the stage, I was just myself and my form of entertainment was a little bit different I suppose. I weight lifted on the night and did a 100kg deadlift. I thought well, I can’t sing and I can’t dance, I’m not talented on that end of things so I’ll use my strength to my advantage.

"I had a gorgeous ball gown and stuck on a hoodie over it and did the deadlift in the dress,” she laughs.

The Kells woman took a novel approach performing a 100kg deadlift as part of her entertainment piece

The festival is a chance to celebrate a mix of the old and the new according Meghan who disagrees with claims that the festival is outdated.

“I’ve watched it since I was a little girl and I think it’s a lovely part of Irish culture. I feel that’s it’s keeping a little bit of old Ireland alive and I think that bringing the weight-lifting to it modernises it a little for women. I think The Rose of Tralee is really empowering for women actually. It highlights women’s strengths that they are both physically and mentally strong.

“These are really well educated and smart women. I can see the argument on the feminist side of it but I think people can overthink things now.”

The Meath Rose is causing quite a stir with the children in her class as she explains:

“The kids have been so excited by it all. I came into school the Monday after being crowned to banners and pictures they made for me. They are so excited and I love having them a part of it as well. They want me to bring the class list and read everyone’s name out on the night but I'm not sure I'll quite manage that."

Meghan is counting down the hours to Tralee and the event will be a welcome celebration for her and her family,

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can’t wait for the festival. I have loads of family coming down and more that will be watching in Canada. I’m so excited to make memories with family especially now. It was a hard year last year, my brother was ill and we lost a family member so this will be a lovely focus for us and a new chapter.”

Viewers can tune-in to RTÉ One from 8 pm for The Rose of Tralee International Festival 2019