Comhghairdeas a mhúinteoir: Abby Walsh is Waterford Rose 

It was a dream come true for primary school teacher and Gaeilgeoir, Abby Walsh, as she was crowned the Waterford Rose.

The 15 ladies who put themselves out of their comfort zones and into a whole new world of friendship showcased what representing their county for the Rose of Tralee would mean to them.

The Waterford selection took place in the Tower Hotel, which hosts the Waterford Rose Centre, on Friday, April 5 and organisers were blown away by the support that arrived for the entrants on the night.

Organiser, Vicki Walshe, told the News & Star that the occasion was definitely one to remember: “It was a thriving success. We had our biggest crowd we've had in years. We had 450 seats filled in the Tower Hotel, so we were obviously delighted with the turnout.

“The atmosphere was electric. It was unbelievable,” said Ms Walshe.

Ms Walshe also mentioned that it was her first time working with co-host, Konor Halpin, who “was encouraging the girls to share their stories, while also keeping them at ease and he just had a lovely way about him.” 

“Áine Comerford, the Events Manager in the Tower Hotel also went above and beyond for us, and the Knotted Chords (Éilish and Margaret O’Neill) also added to the brilliant night we had because they too were fantastic,” Ms Walshe added.

Waterford’s newly selected Rose for the international festival in Tralee, Abby Walsh, was handpicked by judges Kirsten Mate-Maher, Mark Irwin and Sinéad Corcoran.

Ms Walsh was selected from the 15 entrants having gone through the stages of the individual interview, a group interview and finally the onstage interview in front of guests.

“We’re delighted with the decision that the judges did come to, and we are one hundred percent going to be behind Abby and support her,” said Ms Walshe.

“I think that she’ll be a fantastic ambassador for herself and for the county. And I have every hope that she will do very well in Tralee.

“She had one of the largest support groups there in the audience,” added Ms Walshe with a quiet laugh, “I can confirm that they were loud.

“They were joint winners of the Best Banner because we just couldn't make a decision between herself and Harney’s Bar and Dunhill. They really delivered as well, with shouts and screams.

“Abby had a massive support locally, so I can only hope that that grows when it comes to the international festival,” concluded Ms Walshe.

This was Abby Walsh’s first year applying, however, it’s something she said she’s always thought about doing and having completed her training as a primary school teacher and being back home in Waterford, she told the News & Star that there was no better time.

“I wanted to meet new people as, after finishing up college in Dublin, I realised a lot of my friends are scattered all over the country, so I wanted to meet new people in Waterford with similar interests and then to be pushed out of my comfort zone as well,” said Ms Walsh.

Having competed in dancing for close to 15 years, Ms Walsh is a young woman bursting with many talents, which was also evident from her fiddle performance on the evening.

Ms Walsh spoke about how she remembered watching the "princesses in their dresses" with her nanny and grandad and as she grew up, she realised, "there's so much more behind the ladies that participated."

Ms Walsh's nanny, Peggy Dunphy, sadly passed away in December 2023, but her granddaughter believes she was definitely there in spirit on the night she became the Waterford Rose.