Huge welcome for Rose at Sancta Maria Nursing Home

The residents of the Sancta Maria Nursing Home in Kinnegad were delighted to have the Rose of Tralee visit them last week, especially as they had followed her progress and seen her on TV during the Rose of Tralee Festival in early August.

It was Caoilfhinn ní Choiligh's first visit to a nursing home since she won the title, and prior to making her grand entrance she touched on why that side of it is so important to her: "One thing I didn’t want to lose when I finished the whole thrilling experience was to remember that I’m still the Westmeath Rose and that was what I was happy to be, win or lose.

"I didn’t want to lose that aspect of me so it was important that I make time for local causes, centres and homes like this.

"I’ve been to so many places since I’ve finished up with Tralee and it’s just been really wholesome – give me a cup of tea, let me sit down with people and I’ll talk all day."

Caoilfhinn’s visit marked the end of the Alzheimer’s Awareness Month which was a big part of the Sancta Maria calendar.

When she walked in, the residents, who were sitting around the dining room on the edge of their seats and with some beautiful dishware, were over the moon. Their elation only grew when Caoilfhinn went up to each of them, gave them all a hug or shook their hand first thing.

There was a particularly wonderful moment between Caoilfhinn and a resident named Rose, from Rhode in Offaly, as Caoilfhinn as they hugged and laughed for a few minutes.

The MC for the event was Joe Cooney, presenter at Midlands 103. He and Caoilfhinn sang a song together which was absolutely lovely and thoroughly enjoyed by all those in attendance.

"This is the first nursing home I’ve been to since Tralee so it’s an honour to be invited here," said Caoilfhinn to the group. "Tracy was very good to reach out to me."

Tracy is over the Memory Unit in Sancta Maria, some of whose members were among the audience. "It was an instant yes and it was great to get to hear you guys sing," said Caoilfhinn.

The residents had performed John McCormack’s ‘The Rose of Tralee’ with Joe Cooney as Caoilfhinn entered the room.

"I heard you were watching the festival as well, maybe even placing a few bets?" Caoilfhinn said with a laugh as she looked at one of the residents, Tom, from Offaly,who was proudly kitted out in his county gear. Tracy asked Tom to tell them what the odds were for Caoilfhinn to win: "16 to one," he replied.

Tom and Caoilfhinn exchanged a bit of banter during the event, and many of the residents asked her question about the festival or her jobs as Rose of Tralee. Tom asked about the Ploughing Championship and how Caoilfhinn was asked to join in on a wellie throwing competition. She that part was a bit difficult.

Tom challenged her to a wellie throwing competition – and she dutifully accepted.

The two approached the door to the hallway, wellies at the ready. Tom went first but not before turning to Caoilfhinn and, with the cheek of a schoolboy, saying: "I’ll throw it further because you’re a girl."

It was a draw.

Another great moment was when Lizzie, the oldest resident in the home, stood up to ask her question. It was revealed that Lizzie is over 100 years of age, though you wouldn’t be able to tell.

"Oh you said she’s 72?" said Caoilfhinn, and she might as well have been. Lizzie asked Caoilfhinn what she had learned about herself in the lead-up to and during the festival.

"I used to always be ashamed that I was quite emotional, and going through this process, being away from home and my support network, I felt bad about crying sometimes.

"You get a little overwhelmed but then I really started to own that, and the girls knew that’s Caoilfhinn. She’s emotional but it’s not a bad thing.

"Sometimes it was out of passion not sadness, it became a badge of honour, it’s ok that I’m crying, obviously I’m not all over the place but I might cry when someone gives a speech.

"That’s one thing I definitely came to terms with during that time."

Director of nursing Bertha Wekare explained that Caoilfhinn’s visit had been a ‘can’t miss’ event. "Our residents have been talking about her visiting since last week. I’ve never been in the situation of meeting a Rose of Tralee either, I’ve only ever seen it on the television, so it was really exciting.

"They knew I knew if she was really coming, so I was being held accountable. They were asking if she was still going to visit and that there were no cancellations.

"Some of them got up very early this morning to make sure they were ready to meet her."

The Rose of Tralee has been a big help to some of the residents with dementia. During the festival when they sat down to watch, they were able to recall past Rose festivals and who won which year. That inspired Bertha and the tam at Sancta Maria to set up a game called the Sancta Maria Chronicles, in which they’ll be able to reminisce on events from the past.

The event closed with a rendition of Raglan Road from Tom, and a singalong with Tracy, Caoilfhinn and Joe. The energy was high, the tea and biscuits were out, as well as a cake, and smiles were bright in Kinnegad on Friday week last.