Sydney rose has links to inniskeen
The Sydney Rose, Imelda Finnegan, will be interviewed by Daithí Ó Sé in the Dome tonight as she vies for the crown of the International Rose of Tralee. The interview with Imelda, who has roots in Inniskeen, Co Monaghan, will be televised on RTÉ One.
The 27-year-old primary school teacher's father, Seamus, is a native of Inniskeen. Asked about her Monaghan roots, ahead of her big weekend in Tralee, Imelda told The Anglo-Celt: “My dad Seamus Finnegan is from Inniskeen. They have a big sign up at Finnegan’s cross –Imelda Finnegan the Sydney Rose.”
Her father and her mother Nora have accompanied Imelda to Tralee, together with her sister, Elaine. Nora grew up in Cork but was born in the Ardee area.
“I could not be anymore excited – so much hype to get to Tralee never mind the Television – it is all happening here. This the first time I have made it to Ireland. The reception has been fantastic,” excited Imelda told The Anglo Celt.
“It is great meeting all the other girls and it also great to see what it would have been like if my parents had stayed here and if I had been born here. This would have been my life,” she said.
Of her brothers and sisters, Imelda said: 'All six of us were born in Sydney – there were three girls and three boys – one of the boys passed away.”
In Sydney, Imelda works as a primary school teacher at Enfield
Public School. 'Teaching is something I have always been passionate about
and I believe it is the key to reducing social inequality and poverty.'
She has also taught in developing countries including Ghana, Cambodia and Vanuatu. Her hobbies include netball, touch football, snorkelling, spending time with loved ones and reading books. 'My only dislike is spiders, which is problematic considering Australia is the home of some of the deadliest spiders in the world,' said Imelda.
After the Tralee experience, Imelda vows to visit Inniskeen.
There is a large Rose centre in Sydney and Kerryman, Tom O’Keeffe, is the driving force there and does great work to keep Irish community involved.
They are great at keeping events going for the Irish Community in general.