Abby was selected in April at the Tower Hotel in Waterford city, and has enjoyed an exciting summer of public engagements and events. The full time primary teacher returned from Dublin last year after four years in Marino, to teach in Gaelscoil Phort Láirge in Ballygunner.
The Irish language is a passion for Abby, who was taught through the medium of Irish in Gaelscoil Phort Láirge, where she has now returned as a teacher.
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“That’s where it began. I carried it on in Gaelschoil Coláiste secondary school,” said Abby who studied for her degree through Irish in Marino. “It’s a massive passion of mine.”
The 22-year-old has had a hectic summer, describing her Rose journey as the experience of a lifetime.
On Sunday, Abby joined the other Roses on the annual Rose Tour, which takes place from August 11 – 16. Every year, the Roses embark on an adventure when they first meet in Ireland, and begin their National Rose Tour, exploring different parts of Ireland and learning more about the country’s heritage and culture.
Waterford Rose Abby Walsh was selected in April at the Tower Hotel in Waterford city, and has enjoyed a hectic summer of public engagements and events
This year, the tour kicks off in Barberstown Castle in Kildare, before a series of engagements and adventures. Already this summer, Abby has attended attended Ladies Day at the Galway Races, was invited to sing and dance as a special guest at the Deise Day Care center, and enjoyed meeting the service users at the Anne le Roy Centre in Dungarvan, to name just a few.
“It’s definitely once in a lifetime. I’m doing the most I can do, and giving back to the community because they gave so much to me. I was using my platform as a Waterford Rose for different charities. I did the Darkness Into Light walk, I helped out a charity in Waterford called Helping Hand, who help out the homeless.”
Waterford Rose Abby Walsh has supported and raised awareness around the work of the RNLI
Abby has supported and raised awareness around the work of the RNLI and participated in a local Irish dancing school feis in aid of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
“They were charity kinds of events. I’ve visited a lot of care homes – my Nanny was resident in Kilbarry Care Home Centre in Waterford. She passed at the end of last November. It was amazing to go out and meet all the residents, and dance and sing with them. That was incredible.”
Abby was inspired to get involved in the Rose of Tralee from a young age, seeing the annual pageant on the TV. She loved dressing up and being a princess, and along with her growing love of promoting Irish culture, the two naturally fell together in the Rose of Tralee.
“As I got older, I realised it’s something I’d like to do. Moving home from college, last summer, I realised all my friends are kind of scattered around the world now, or they’re in serious relationships and I don’t have many close friends left. It was a way to meet new people.”
It would be incredible to be picked as ambassador to represent the women who took part
Abby said she never thought she’d win the Waterford Rose of Tralee, and has met some great new friends through the event.
What would it mean to her to win the Rose of Tralee? “It would be a huge honour. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It would be incredible to be picked as ambassador to represent the women who took part. I wouldn’t have words.”
Abby said the most important lesson she has learned from the experience is that she’s definitely a ‘people person’ and really loves being out and about, visiting children in schools, the elderly in care homes, or going to meet people in factories.
Her passion for charity has also been heightened during her time as the Waterford Rose of Tralee.
Abby’s younger brother, Cillian, and parents, Ethel and Joe, are all excited to support her. “They can’t wait. It’s their family holiday this year down to Tralee. They are just ecstatic. I have aunts, and uncles, everyone and anyone is coming down.”
Abby Walsh meeting some fellow roses at the Dublin Rose Selection
