Rose of Tralee 2024: 'Granny Dolan' steals the show on first night of ...
Eighteen Roses took to the stage to share their stories with hosts Kathryn Thomas and Dáithí O’Sé last night, but it was Granny Dolan who stole the show on the first night of the Rose of Tralee contest.
Speaking Melbourne Rose Dervla Dolan (25), Kathryn Thomas told the crowd at the MTU Kerry Sports Academy, “Granny Dolan is here as well tonight.
“I have met a lot of inspiring women this week, let me tell you.
“But Granny Dolan, I have to meet this lady, this lady is incredible. Tell me about her.”
From Killyclogher in Co Tyrone, Dervla has worked as a teacher in Melbourne since 2022.
“I come from a family very involved in running and I have completed thirteen half marathons and one full marathon. Upon moving to Melbourne, I established my own running community called Run for Enda, in memory of my brother.”
Dervla’s 18-year-old brother Enda was killed by a drink-driver on her 16th birthday.
Surrounded by her family and friends last night, she paid tribute to her grandmother Granny Dolan.
"Granny Dolan is definitely my number one fan,” Dervla told the crowd.
“And she wouldn’t miss this for anything.
“She is the most glamorous lady, she is famous in Killyclogher for her fashion sense.
"But she is also a runner walker. She has completed over 100 park-runs, at the age of almost 82. And she loves them.”
Granny Dolan waved to the crowd while social media lit up with praise for the Co Tyrone woman.
One person wrote; “I’m adopting Granny Dolan as my granny even though she’s old enough to be my mammy.”
Another wrote; “Granny Dolan has stolen the show and our hearts tonight.”
Earlier, at the final rehearsal in the MTU Kerry Sports Academy, excitement among the Roses was building, mixed with a few nerves, ahead of the live television show later on.
Behind the scenes the Roses were chatting, running around and practising their group dance routine or individual performances.
They appeared one by one on stage, where they had a chance to rehearse for the last time. They were all supported by co-hosts Dáithí Ó Sé or Kathryn Thomas, who gave them tips on their performances .
Despite the upcoming contest, there was no sense of competition between the Roses.
We are so proud of each other
Waterford Rose Abby Walsh said all of the Roses are “best of friends now” and “root for each other”. Ms Walsh (22), from Waterford city, said she felt excited and slightly nervous ahead of taking to the stage last night, but she was looking forward to seeing the banners and her family.
“I’d probably be a little bit nervous, we all will be, but walking out and seeing the banners will put me at ease,” she said. “It’s been absolutely incredible. Meeting all of the girls...we really are best of friends now.
“We’re all rooting for each other. We were just doing the rehearsals there and we were watching it on the screen in the green room, we are so proud of each other.”
Kerry Rose Emer Dineen (23) said the festival has been “absolutely phenomenal” but it’s been a “whirlwind”.
“It’s been so unbelievably quick. If you asked me what I did yesterday, I’d have to sit down and think about it,” she said.
“But it’s been so so special. The girls that I’ve met, I know they’re going to change my life. They’re so articulate and well-spoken and driven and ambitious, and they have these degrees and achievements under their belt,” she said.
Ms Dineen, from Castlegregory, said she felt “so proud” to be in Kerry and is thrilled that so many are coming to her home county for the festival.
Waterford Rose Abby Walsh pictured on stage at the Kerry Sports Academy, MTU with Dáithí Ó’Sé during the Rose of Tralee International Festival last night
“I feel a certain level of privilege. I’ve loved every second of it. The turnout, the people...it was open arms for us. It was really just friendliness and good vibes,” she said.
She said she felt a “bit more chilled” just hours before the show.
“I’m able to sit back and watch the girls, and we’re all kind of in the same boat. I’ve done my rehearsal now, so just getting up there, it’s gonna be so grand hopefully,” she said.
It’s been wonderful. All the girls are lovely, and we’ve really hit it off
San Francisco Rose Maggie Baglin (23) said “she’s having the time of her life”.
“I cannot believe we’re here on the first stage night,” she said ahead of the live show.
“It’s been wonderful. All the girls are lovely, and we’ve really hit it off.”
Dáithí Ó Sé, who is hosting the Rose of Tralee for the 14th time, said his aim every year is to make the festival better than the previous one. “We’re as good as our last show last year. We have to try to make it better again this year,” he said.
When asked how he supports the Roses during the show, he said he’s the “least important person in the whole room”.
“That’s the way I’ve always looked at being the host of the Rose of Tralee. It’s about the Rose, it’s about her family, her community, being here in Ireland or her Irish community abroad. So my main job is that the Rose goes up on stage, she’s happy up on stage and she wants to go back on stage,” he said.
One month ago, Ó Sé thought he might not be able to host this year due to a knee injury. “I said, ‘OK, I’m not sure if I’d be physically able to do it’, but we’re here. So the crutches are on standby, but hopefully we won’t need them,” he said.
