Louth Rose the people’s champion at Rose of Tralee

Louth Rose Jenny Hanlon with Daniel O’Donnell at the Rose of Tralee

Louth Rose Jenny Hanlon made a big splash at this week’s Rose of Tralee Festival, with many outsiders expressing the view that she should have won.

Regardless of that, the Carlingford woman certainly did the county proud by giving one of the most memorable interviews of the festival to host, Daithi Ó Sé – so much so that she, and not the winner, was trending on Twitter.

For those who missed it, the clip of Jenny’s interview is now available on the RTÉ Player and you can view it here.

Jenny might not have won but she made a big impression for the Wee County and we’re sure to hear plenty more of her in the weeks, months and years to come.

Local men prepare for 350km cycle from Dundalk to Tralee

Michael Bishop, Jonny McGailey, and Mark Geraghty pictured with Louth Rose Jenny Hanlon ahead of their 350km charity cycle to Tralee tomorrow

Three local men will be hopping on their bikes tomorrow morning as they prepare to cycle 350km over two days from Dundalk to Tralee.

The event has been organised to raise funds for three charities, Friends of A, the Make A Wish Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.

Taking part are Jonny McGailey from Dromiskin, Mark Geraghty from Blackrock and Michael Bishop from Roche. They will be joined by three others from outside the area who Jonny got to know during his spell as an escort at the Rose of Tralee festival a couple of years ago.

Jonny organised the event to coincide with the festival and donations can be made here.

So far Jonny has raised almost €1,300, which puts him well on course to get close to his target of €5,000.

The trio hope to reach Moneygall in Offaly by the end of day one where they will stay with Barack Obama’s cousin Henry Healy before completing their journey the next day to make it to the Rose of Tralee festival on Saturday.

Jenny’s odds for Rose of Tralee continue to tumble

Jenny Hanlon after being named the new Louth Rose

With the Rose Of Tralee just a couple of weeks away, things are heating up in the betting with one Rose catching the eye of punters.

Louth Rose Jenny Hanlon was initially installed as a 50/1 outsider for the crown but has fast became one to watch as punters gather behind her to show their support.

Jenny, who is studying business in Maynooth, could be the biggest dark horse in the race for the crown most recently being backed into 10/1 from 14/1 and posing the biggest liability for local bookmakers BoyleSports. It will not be smooth sailing however with a number of Roses ahead of the Cooley lass in the betting.

Dublin Rose, Aisling Finnegan, and Abu Dhabi Rose, Deirdre Ward, are head-to-head at the top of the betting as joint 7/2 favourites. Next in line are New York Rose Sophie Colgan and Dubai Rose Marie Ryan. German Rose Roisin Ni Mhathuna and Cork Rose Aoife Murphy also stand in Jenny’s way at 11/2 and 8/1 respectively.

Meanwhile, Sydney Rose Ciara Rafferty – who has family from Greenore – stands at 33/1.

Aoife Heffron, PR Executive at BoyleSports, said: “Louth have never won the Rose of Tralee but it looks like it could all change this year with Jenny Hanlon emerging as the pick with punters.”

She added: “Having gone from 50/1 to 10/1 already and with a couple of weeks to go until the competition gets underway, we expect she will continue to shorten. Jenny is the biggest loser in the book with BoyleSports looking at a large six figure hit should she go on and win it for the Wee County.”

Louth Rose Jenny’s odds of Rose of Tralee title plummet inside a week

Louth Rose Jenny Hanlon being interviewed by Daithi Ó Sé at the regional finals in Portlaoise last month

Jenny Hanlon’s odds of becoming the first ever Louth Rose to be crowned the Rose of Tralee have fallen dramatically in the last week.

When odds were first announced by local bookmakers Boylesports last week the 19-year-old from Carlingford was a huge outsider at 50/1.

However, in the space of just eight days the NUI Maynooth business student has seen her odds drop to 18/1.

Jenny is the first Louth Rose since Patricia Marmion in 2012 to reach the finals in Tralee. It takes place next month.

Dublin Rose Aisling Finnegan and Abu Dhabi Rose Deirdre Ward head the betting at 7/2 at present but if O’Hanlon can continue to grow in popularity she could be an historic winner.

Louth Rose Jenny secures place in Tralee

Louth Rose Jenny Hanlon being interviewed by Daithi Ó Sé in Portlaoise

Louth will have a representative in this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival in August.

Louth Rose Jenny Hanlon last night qualified for the finals after impressing at the regional finals in Portlaoise when put to the test by show host Daithi Ó Sé.

The 19-year-old, from Carlingford, is the first Louth Rose since Patricia Marmion in 2012 to reach the finals. No Louth Rose has ever won the contest.

Jenny Hanlon named new Louth Rose

Jenny Hanlon after being named the new Louth Rose last night

Carlingford woman Jenny Hanlon was named the new Louth Rose at a selection night in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk last night.

The 19-year-old was the last of 14 contestants to take the stage but proved the most popular in succeeding last year’s winner, Ciara Soraghan.

Jenny was representing the Maria Goretti Foundation in Lordship and will now go through to the regional finals in Portlaoise, hoping to earn a place at the Rose of Tralee International Festival weekend at the end of summer.

New Louth Rose to be selected tomorrow

This year’s Louth Rose of Tralee selection night takes place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk on Sunday at 8pm.

We’ve put together a list of all the ladies involved and their sponsors below.

The ladies were at Dundalk Stadium last night with one of them hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Ciara Soraghan, in becoming the new Louth Rose.

Admission on the night is €20 or €5 for under 12s.

Shannon Fahey / St John of God’s Drumcar

Sarah McCarville / Victory’s Centra Dunleer

Helena Ní Mhaoiláin / Glen Gat House Dundalk

Paula McCreery / Lanney’s Supervalu Ardee

Niamh Tumilty / Truform Laser Dies

Sorayah McGeough / Caranmore Exports

Sharon Cummins / Aura Leisure Centre

Kim Murray / Energy Centre Drogheda

Sammy Myles / Homecare Ardee

Denisa Macari / Macari’s Pizzeria Drogheda

Aisling Nally / Scotch Hall Shopping Centre

Jenny Hanlon / Maria Goretti Foundation

Andrea Muckian / AIB Drogheda

Maeve Kavanagh / Euro Antiques

Final few days to register to become the new Louth Rose

Last year’s Louth Rose Ciara Soraghan on stage with presenter Daithí Ó Sé in the regional finals

There are just a few days left to register your interest in becoming this year’s Louth Rose.

The Louth Rose of Tralee event takes place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk on Sunday April 26^th with one lucky local hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Ciara Soraghan.

The Louth Rose will go forward to the regional finals in Portlaoise, with the hope of advancing to the International Rose of Tralee Festival in Kerry at the end of the summer.

To register visit www.roseoftralee.ie/roses

 

Eden to launch new cocktail menu this Saturday

Eden Disco Bar in Park Street will be launching their new cocktail menu this Saturday night at 8pm.

The new menu is created by Eden’s very own Jim Shevlin and will include three new ice cream cocktails.

You can reserve a booth with table service on the night, with tickets available right now from Ridley’s Bar.

Louth Rose Ciara Soraghan will be one of many attending the launch, which promises to be a fantastic night.

Louth Rose Ciara Soraghan will be in Eden on Saturday for the launch of their new cocktail menu

Louth Rose Ciara just misses out on international finals

Ciara Soraghan

There was no joy for Louth Rose Ciara Soraghan as she just missed out on a place in the Rose of Tralee international final in August at last weekend’s regional finals in Laois.

The Dundalk girl was a popular contestant at the weekend and brought huge support with her to the event but unfortunately she will not get to the finals of the competition.

Ciara is still a fantastic Rose though and will continue to represent the county with honour in the weeks and months ahead.

Louth will have representation in this year’s finals though with Dubai Rose Ailis Hughes hailing from Omeath.