A research scientist from Newport has been crowned the 2015 Mayo Rose.
Twenty-four-year-old Síochfreadh Ní Lachnáin, who lives and works in Limerick, was named the Mayo Rose at a gala style event in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport, last Saturday evening.
Ms Ní Lachnáin is the daugther of John Loftus and Valerie Chambers from Newport.
The 24-year-old said she was shocked but thrilled to win the selection process and she is now looking forward to representing her county in the regional finals of the competition.
Thirteen Rose hopefuls took part in the Mayo selection process, all bidding to follow in the footsteps of their county compatriot, reigning Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh, from Shrule.
The Roses were: Shauna Mulhall from Westport; Aoife Forde, Ballycastle; Aine McManamon, Newport; Rebecca Moran, Kilkelly; Clare Cullen, Killala; Grace Lynch, Ballyvary; Emma McNamara, Westport; Dawn Hughes, Bofeenaun; Natasha Neville, Bonniconlon; Avril Foy, Wesport; Donna McCafferty, Ballina; Shonagh Rowley, Meelick; and, of course the winner, Síochfreadh Ní Lachnáin from Newport.
The Greenway Hotel was Ms Ní Lachnáin’s sponsor.
Ms Ní Lachnáin said it was “surreal” to be crowned the Mayo Rose.
She also said she is delighted to represent the “modern Irish woman”.
“It is one of the reasons I took part,” she explained. “I wanted to represent Irish women who are independent, highly educated, and ambitious.”
All of the county Rose winners will now compete in Portlaoise at the end of May in the hopes of going through to the main festival in Tralee in August.
