Chicago Rose crowned 2016 Rose of Tralee

MAGGIE McEldowney, representing Chicago, is the 2016 Rose of Tralee.

RTÉ’s Dáithí Ó Sé announced the result in front of nearly one million television viewers and an audience of 2000 people in the Festival Dome last night.

Maggie (27) was presented with her sash and tiara by 2015 Rose of Tralee Elysha Brennan and Robbie Scanlan, managing director of Tipperary Crystal, lead sponsors of the festival.

Cavan Rose Lisa Reilly (26) from Ballinagh and the other 30 roses on stage joined in congratulating Maggie. Lisa had been among the bookies' favourites to take the sash and did our county proud in the competition, particularly in light of her handling of a stage invasion during his live TV interview on Monday night.

Speaking after becoming the 58th lady to be crowned Rose of Tralee, Maggie said: “The crown’s coming to Chicago. I’m so excited about it! One of my favourite parts about being the Chicago Rose is that every day I get to wear the Chicago sash. I’m just beaming with pride because I know the people back home and the people I’m representing at my Centre are very special. There’s such a strong Irish community in Chicago, I can’t wait to share the news with them.”

Maggie McEldowney, a native of the south-side of the city, is the third Chicago Rose of Tralee following Teresa Kenny in 1960 and Larna Canoy in 1987.

She works as the director of development at Marist High School and is passionate about raising money for families who could not otherwise afford Catholic education.

After earning the Chick Evans Scholarship to the University of Illinois, she graduated with a degree in Media Studies in 2011.

In her free time, Maggie serves on the Board of the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, a committee responsible for coordinating fundraisers that celebrate Irish culture.

“I understand the tremendous impact a Rose can have on the lives of others, and will continue that tradition wholeheartedly as the 2016 Rose of Tralee,” said Maggie who’s grandmother, Brigid O’Neill, was born and raised in Maghera, Co. Derry.

The McEldowneys hail from Draperstown, Co. Derry and Fr Seamus O’Neill, her dad’s cousin, is a devout member of the St. Patrick’s Society for the Foreign Missions, located in Co. Wicklow.

Singing sensation, Nathan Carter serenaded Maggie McEldowney in the Dome and again on Denny Street in the heart of Tralee where thousands of people turned out for the Midnight Madness Parade sponsored by Bon Secours Hospital Tralee.

The 2016 Rose of Tralee International Festival was the biggest in its long history with 65 Roses taking part in the seven-day event.

Next year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from August 16-22 and online Rose applications are now being accepted at www.roseoftralee.ie.