Nurse Grace Kemple is crowned Longford Rose

“I'm back to college today, so it's about returning to reality,” she said, coming back down to earth on Monday.

Grace was chosen as Longford's first Rose since 2019 at a thrilling Longford Rose Selection event in the Longford Arms Hotel.

Thirteen impressive hopefuls vied for the coveted sash with the former Ballymahon Vocational School student Grace winning the verdict of the judging panel.

“It was a great day and night. All the girls were together for the day. There was a great lead up to it, I had a really good night,” Grace said of the selection process, “over the past few weeks we got to know each other. We had dinner and met up before the event. That made Saturday night a bit easier.”

Grace will now have the honour of becoming the sixth Longford Rose to appear on stage at the world famous Tralee Dome, following in the footsteps of Marie Brady (2019), Caroline Doyle (2016), Daphne Howard (2015), Aisling Farrell (2013) and Grainne Fox (2007).

PICTURES | Lovely gallery of photos as Grace Kemple chosen to represent Longford at Rose of Tralee

She outlined the sequence of the evening: “There were 13 girls taking part. Eight were on stage for the first half of the show, then the remaining five in the second half. The girls chatted to the MC Benny O'Brien and then did their talent or party piece. During the day we had the judges interview and the group interview.”

Grace is a General Nurse and she is currently completing her Higher Diploma in Midwifery. Grace says that midwifery has always been her dream job, adding that ‘helping bring new life into the world is such a privilege’. She brought her career choice into her performance: “I did a demonstration of child's CPR. It was just something different from singing,” she said.

The 2023 Longford Rose said the day was not as nerve-wracking as she anticipated: “I was a bit stressed leading up to it, but we were so busy on Saturday there was no time for nerves. I couldn't wait to get up on stage. I was in the second half, when I was announced as the winner it came as a bit of a shock.”

The student of midwifery enjoys keeping active and in her spare time she does Pilates and goes to the gym. Her sponsor on the night was Iron Kingdom Gym.

Grace says the Rose of Tralee is something she always wanted to do, and she is looking forward to representing Longford at the Rose of Tralee International Festival.

In a unique first the Roses will visit Longford on their journey to The Dome: “It's great that the Rose tour is coming to Longford this year for the first time ever. That is a big thing, I'm really looking forward to it.”

Longford is just one point on a route that takes in some of Ireland’s most famous and symbolic, historic sporting and tourism landmarks. The tour destinations also include counties Wexford, Kildare, Meath, Offaly and Limerick.

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As the 2023 Longford Rose, Grace will be sponsored by Grafters Hair Company Longford where the lucky Rose will have Pauline Coady Belton and her team looking after her for her reign as Longford Rose.

“I am really looking forward to going to Tralee,” Grace said, “I want to thank Marie Brady the 2019 Rose, she has been such a great help. Also to Lyn (Moloney) and Steve (Cronly, from the International Rose of Tralee Festival). Rachel Duffy, the current International Rose of Tralee was at the selection night on Saturday. I don't think we have ever had a current Rose at a Longford selection. It was such a great night.”