Deciding who will represent Birmingham in one of Ireland’s biggest festivals, The Rose of Tralee, was always going to be difficult.
The tough decision was made at the end of April in the Westley Hotel, Acocks Green, where ten beautiful, young Irish women competed for the honour of wearing the Birmingham sash.
Ten ladies were short listed from scores of entrants. Highlighting
that the Rose of Tralee is alive
and kicking in Birmingham.The entrants were a diverse mix. Among them were students, a police constable, bar manager, teacher, textile artist, estate agent, solicitor and project co-ordinator.
Birmingham Rose of Tralee Committee members Maria Cleary and Teresa Melody were on-hand to greet the entrants gathered in the Bank of Ireland sponsored VIP green room. Judges on the evening were Dermot Galligan from the MacDonald Burlington Hotel, Elaine Sheridan from The Irish Post and the chair of judges, Margaret Gales from Bank of Ireland. Before the main event a separate private interview took place behind closed doors coinciding with the main stage interview on the night in front of guests, sponsors, families and supporters who flocked in droves to the hotel.

Birmingham Rose of Tralee winner, Aimee Porch with Bob Brolly

Birmingham and Midlands Rose of Tralee 2006, Lisa Taylor and Hollie McGuire

Maria Cleary and Teresa Melody from the B’ham Rose of Tralee committee

E ntertainment was provided in the form of live traditional music from Cairde

An established Code of Practice is in place so as to ensure fair proceedings and an impartial judgement. The judges were on the look out for a number of points. People skills, personality, Rose potential, stage presence, appearance, communication, being proud of their Irish heritage and a good ambassador for Irish women, to name but a few. Not much to ask for then!
Credit must be given to Maria and Teresa for inspiring such interest in The Rose of Tralee. “The Rose of Tralee is one of Ireland’s greatest exports. We want to extend our thanks to all the sponsors as the night couldn’t have been facilitated without them”, said committee members Maria and Teresa.
“Lisa Taylor, the current Birmingham Rose has had a tremendous year. She is a good role model for young Irish women and is sad to leave the title behind”.
“Also we were thrilled to have Bob Brolly MBE as compere.”
Among the guests was Ann Tighe, International Rose of Tralee 1967. She was the first winner of the competition to represent an English city.
As the evening got underway DJ Sean McSherry provided music.
Formal proceedings commenced with a fabulous display of Irish dancing by youngsters from the Scanlon School of Irish Dancing.
Bob Brolly proved as always to be a funny and likeable host. He managed to keep decorum to allow the prospective Roses the chance to shine and to give them the respect they deserve for there brave performances.
Each contestant was asked the same number of similar questions. Topics included their Irish heritage, their ambitions and people they would most like to meet.
The first entrant was Leanne Nelson. Her heritage stretches to Enniskillen and Leitrim. She is a student of Theology and is training to be a religious education teacher in a Catholic school. She is a keen Irish dancer and when asked which one person she would like to meet she said Michael Flatley. At the end of her interview she swapped her high heels for dancing shoes and danced a reel with some aplomb.
Second on stage was Aimee Porch, a police constable. Her Irish background lies in Galway as her grandfather was from Ballinasloe. Aimee explained how her father was in the police also and how she had to send in her application in secret because she knew her father wasn’t keen for his little girl to be a policewoman. She thoroughly enjoys the job though and cites the variety as one of her favourite aspects.
The third lady to impress on the night was Rebecca Molloy, a bar manager in Ceol Castle. Ms. Molloy hails from Wexford and has been living in Birmingham for some time. She is a singer and has preformed for President Mary McAleese. Rebecca expressed admiration for Beyonce, who she said as a woman in the spotlight held herself very well. She plans to study a course in Dublin Institute of Technology.
Throughout proceedings the judges took notes at their table at the foot of the stage.
The fourth lady to take to the spotlight was Kate McDonnell. She is a teacher in Northfield. She has an Irish grandmother and as she discovered on entering the Rose of Tralee, a great aunt in Dublin who rang to wish her the best of luck! Kate is also an accomplished musician, playing the flute and has preformed for the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen. She admires actress and author Mira Syal.
Isabel Harris was the fifth entrant on the night. She is an office temp at the moment with a promising career ahead as an estate agent. Her ambition is to become an airhostess but has to pass her driving test first, a requirement for the job. Ms. Harris’ family are all from Dublin. Isabel has studied drama and sang in the Solihull arts festival for the mayor. Her dream is to become an actress.
Hailing from Derry, Claire Diamond was the sixth lady to take to the stage. Claire is a textile artist based in Wolverhampton. Her designs are influenced from her rural upbringing. Stella McCartney recently commissioned her work and pieces were featured in Paris fashion week. She is a music fan and the person she would like to meet most is Johnny Cash, for two reasons, passion and perseverance. Claire sang at the end of her interview.
The seventh contender was Ellis Quinlan, a student, born and bred in Limerick who is studying at Nottingham. She is an accom-plished hockey player who plays for Ireland and has been capped 26 times. She now plays for a team in Nottingham. A fluent Irish speaker Ellis joked that her Dad had been coaching her for 22 years for the role of Rose of Tralee. Ellis also plays the violin and the harp.
The second last lady to take to the stage was Fiona Cunningham, a student of forensic science in Nottingham Trent University. Fiona’s father is from Galway and her mother from Mayo. A former member of Scanlon School of Irish Dance she has danced in world championship competitions. She also tried her hand at Gaelic football. Ms. Cunningham mentioned humour, sensitivity and trust as qualities she likes. Fiona enjoys country music and in particular Garth Brooks.
Last but definitely not least on the night was Rosemarie Gallagher. Her father is from Mayo and mother from Cavan. She says she prefers Mayo though, as their better at Gaelic football. Rosemarie is a project co-ordinator for Marconi, a telecommunications company. She likes a visit to Waxy O’Connor’s in Leicester Square when she can. She enjoys the pace of life in London. Ms. Gallagher has an interest in acting and studied arts in Leicester.
The judges departed to deliberate and in their place entertainment was provided in the form of live traditional music from Cairde.
A raffle was held to raise funds.
Next the current Birmingham Rose Lisa Taylor spoke about what a fabulous year she had and how she thoroughly enjoyed her time representing Birmingham. The Midlands Rose of Tralee, Holly McGuire also gave a few words of encouragement.
Before long the waiting was over and the judges came to announce their winner. The lady they choose was Aimee Porch.
The Harp asked one of the judges, Elaine Sheridan, why they choose Aimee and she said, “She has the whole package, the confidence, the charisma. She’ll be a great representative for Birmingham.”
Praise was showered on all contestants after what was surely a very difficult decision to make.
Aimee Porch will go on to compete in the British regional final at the Renaissance hotel in Solihull on the 9th of June. Bob Brolly will also be compeering.
The actual Rose of Tralee festival will have 4 UK representatives.