ANNE-MARIE CHARMED TRALEE!

Monaghan’s Anne-Marie McArdle registered a charming impression when she took to the stage of the Rose of Tralee Festival on Monday night. New Zealand representative Rose Keely O’Grady took the coveted title but Ann-Marie by common consensus did her home place proud, delivering a moving rendition of the beautiful Irish/Scottish folk song Wild Mountain Thyme and proving more than a match in banter for host Dáithí Ó Sé. Speaking afterwards Anne-Marie was deeply appreciative of the great support she had received from all across Co Monaghan. Anne- Marie felt the Rose event sent out a great message of positivity and celebration which was badly needed at the current time. She described the whole experience of being the Monaghan Rose as an overwhelming one and said she felt blessed to be able to represent Monaghan and the town of Carrickmacross at the iconic event. Being in Tralee was “a childhood dream fulfilled”, she stated.