'Coffee morning a best of luck party for Westmeath Rose, Rachel Duffy'
Clodagh McKeon
The Westmeath Rose Centre is hosting a coffee morning this Sunday, July 17, from 11am at Rosemount Community Centre to show their support for the Westmeath Rose, Rachel Duffy as she makes her way to Tralee.
The coffee morning was organised so that the people of Rosemount could come together and chat with to Rachel.
She was announced as the Westmeath Rose in April and since then she has been travelling the county attending different events.
She took part in the ‘Go Purple Day’ event at Athlone Garda Station to raise money for services helping those who suffer from domestic violence; she has visited the children of Rosemount NS, where she used to be a pupil; and she will make an appearance at this the Fleadh Cheoil.
Sarah Boland of the Westmeath Rose Centre said: “The coffee morning is a best of luck party for Rachel as such. Rosemount has great community spirit, everyone loves to get involved and help out. We all pull together to make things like this a success.
“We should get a good crowd over to the Community Centre, so we’re excited.”
Sunday’s proceeds will go towards Rachel’s dresses, shoes, accessories and the various expenses that come with being involved in the Rose of Tralee festival.
Rachel said: “I have a week-long Rose tour before I even get to Tralee, starting on August 11.
“I’ll be visiting various counties and I need lots of outfits every day. I arrive in Kerry on August 19 and the festival then takes place over five days, including the TV nights on August 22-23, so you can imagine the number of outfits I need, it’s just crazy.
“All money raised and given by sponsors is a huge help and goes a long way. It also gives me the chance to support local businesses in Westmeath.
“It also gives me the chance to support local businesses in Westmeath.”
Rachel commented on how positive the people of Rosemount are and said they have supported her throughout this journey.
“The people of Rosemount have always been so good to me and a coffee morning is a great way to get people out to catch up and chat before I go.
“Especially the elderly people in Rosemount because I know so many of them are excited to have a Rosemount girl go to Tralee.
With the festival quickly approaching, Rachel and her team are busy but are looking forward to a morning of coffee and chats.
“My Rose of Tralee journey has been amazing. So much has happened over the last few months and to be honest, it's still surreal everytime I put on the sash.
“I’ve made so many new friends who have all been very supportive and I’m lucky to have met a lot of other roses by now, they are all so kind.
“Time is flying so I’m just trying to enjoy every minute of it.
“I’m so excited to be representing Westmeath and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”Rachel commented on how positive the people of Rosemount are and said they have supported her throughout this journey.
“They have always been so good to me and a coffee morning is a great way to get people out to catch up and chat before I go.
“Especially the elderly people in Rosemount because I know so many of them are excited to have a Rosemount girl go to Tralee.
With the festival approaching, Rachel and her team are busy but are looking forward to a morning of coffee and chats. “My Rose of Tralee journey has been amazing. So much has happened over the last few months and, to be honest, it’s still surreal every time I put on the sash.
“I’ve made so many new friends who have all been supportive and I’m lucky to have met a lot of other roses by now, they are all so kind.
“Time is flying so I’m just trying to enjoy every minute of it. I’m so excited to be representing Westmeath and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”