A proud San Franciscan with Irish roots

The San Francisco Rose recounted her experience of returning to her grandfather’s homeland for three weeks.

Having not visited the island for 13 years, Maggie Baglin did a full trip of the island in May and June. While she spent the majority of her time in Cavan with family from Cornafean and Killeshandra, she also visited kin in Cork and all the major tourist attractions of Kerry, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Dublin.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Maggie describes herself a native and is “very proud to be.”

“I’m a San Francisco native and very proud to be and just grew up really immersed in our Irish community and Irish culture.”

Maggie joins Grace Farrelly, the Cavan Rose, and Billie Cooper, the New York Rose, in flying the flag for Cavan at this year’s Rose of Tralee competition.

Maggie’s grandfather, Oliver Sheridan, emigrated from Cavan in 1964 when he was 24 years old; while her great grandfather emigrated from Cork to San Francisco in 1928 when he was just 16.

“That’s how historically our family got here,” explained Maggie.

Speaking about why her grandfather, a Cornafean native, emigrated from Cavan, Maggie said he was one of eight siblings who wanted to “venture out and try something new”.

“He ended up not only coming here but falling in love. He goes back often [to Ireland] but he ended up making his own roots out here.”

Speaking about her selection as the San Francisco Rose, Maggie said her grandfather was delighted.

“I don’t think I’ve ever honestly seen him so happy, he just had a glimmer in his eyes.”

Homecoming

Turning eighty four this August, her grandfather had said it would be “too hard” to make the trip over to Ireland ever again. Upon Maggie’s Rose selection, he had a quick change of mind.

“When I ended up winning for San Francisco, I looked at him and I go ‘you’re going back to Ireland.’”

“I think he just feels very proud of me and very excited to be able to go back and to see everyone and to have this with the family, it’s a really good reason to go back.

“It makes me very happy to give this to our family and to be able to share this with him especially.”

The family have already made plans to fly in before the festival to spend time in Cavan. While Maggie goes on tour, her grandparents plan to stay in the Breffni county.

“They’re going to stay in Cavan, my grandparents are soaking it up as much as possible, all the time with the family,” she said, adding that they will return to the Breffni county after the festival.

During her time here recently, the 23 year old had the chance to attend the County Fleadh and the Festival of the Lakes in Killeshandra.

“I was just booked and busy, just seeing everyone and just spending so much quality time together, it felt like no time had passed.

“I just felt right at home, they made me feel so welcome and they were very proud to show me off and tell everyone that I was the San Francisco Rose.

“They had me play my bagpipes down at the lake for the Ceilí, which was really really neat.

“I then got to participate in different events they had over the weekend,” she said, adding that she participated in the Run for Ríoghnán, went out for a paddle on the “terrifying” swan on the lake, and hit the local pubs of the town.

“That was a really nice time to meet some of the community. It was just a really really great time, I picked a good weekend.”

Second time lucky Maggie ran in the Rose of Tralee competition last year and, despite not being selected, she entered the race again this year.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, I’ve grown up in our San Francisco Irish community and I am very proud to be an Irish American.”

She reapplied and was delighted to be selected this time out.

“I’m very excited to represent our Irish community. San Francisco’s big I would say in comparison to Cavan but everyone knows everyone and it really does just have that same feel of being Irish and just that sense of pride.”

She described the Irish community in San Francisco.

“It’s amazing,” she said, explaining how they have dinner, go to sessions together, concerts, trad fests, GAA events, and “tonnes of events” at the Irish centre.

“There’s a million honestly, any special occasion in one’s life is also usually celebrated in the centre.”

When on stage at The Dome, Maggie plans to speak about her work as a behavioural therapist in special education and as a youth minister for her local parish in San Fran.

“I love kids,” she said. “I love playing with kids, I love talking to them, I think they’re really cute.”

Studying psychology, Maggie wanted to do something “meaningful” in life, but wasn’t quite sure what.

“I just always had a soft spot for kids and they’re the future too so I really like spending time helping them grow - whether it’s in their faith or teaching them bagpipe lessons,” she said, adding that she works with children in special education and loves “helping them become more independent and grow as human beings”.

She has played the bagpipes with The Irish Pipers Band, set up in 1932, since she was ten-years-old.

“That’s been a big part of cultivating my Irish culture and allowing me to be so active in our community.”

Regarding the rest of her live interview, she said: “we’ll see where Daithi takes it” with a laugh.

She is most excited to meet fellow musicians, connect with fellow Roses over their Irish roots and to have a rose bud.

“It’s really amazing what the festival offers and what it celebrates.

“I’m just so excited to go there and have this experience with the girls and with all my family, it will be lovely.”