Balancing the Rose of Tralee tiara with her doctor’s stethoscope was never going to be easy for Jennifer Byrne; but the 2017 winner would not change a thing about the last year. “It was the best decision of my life,” she says simply. “The whole experience was just phenomenal.”
Balancing the Rose of Tralee tiara with her doctor’s stethoscope was never going to be easy for Jennifer Byrne; but the 2017 winner would not change a thing about the last year.
“It was the best decision of my life,” she says simply. “The whole experience was just phenomenal.”
Raised in Ballinahown, Co Offaly, the 25-year-old explains how the Rose of Tralee has always been a part of her life.
“I watch it every year with mam and granny,” she says. “Mam saw they were looking for applicants in the Offaly Independent and told me to ‘give it a go’. So, I did.”
Doctor Jennifer was working in the accident and emergency department of University College Hospital Galway when she was crowned. She had a long history of humanitarian work prior to taking part in the competition, including volunteering at both Barretstown Children’s Charity in Co Kildare and Mpongwe Mission Hospital in Zambia, as well as working closely with anti-bullying organisation I’m A Friend.
Charity work
Alongside fellow Roses, Jennifer travelled to Belarus and raised over €62,000 for Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International charity, as well as journeying to Kolkata in India with the HOPE Foundation.
Working on the night ambulance, as well as visiting HOPE hospitals and schools, Jennifer explains how she was left in awe by the people of Kolkata’s gratitude for the smallest gestures.
“It was a great opportunity, but it was very tough,” she says. “It certainly was life changing and I look forward to helping out again in the future.”
Highlights of Jennifer’s year ranged from the homecoming she received in her beloved Ballinahown to interviews on the red steps at Times Square and St Patrick’s Day at Gracie Mansion in New York.
Jennifer Byrne with this year's Offaly contender Katie Kehoe.
Yet it’s the simple things she rejoices in most, like the new friends she has gained and the old ones she has relied on.
She is also extremely thankful to her colleagues at UCHG, who swapped shifts with her whenever necessary so she could fulfil her duties as Rose of Tralee.
“I was working all sorts of hours, but people make exceptions and my colleagues are so positive,” she says.
Now back in her scrubs at the paediatric department of UCHG, Jennifer is happier than ever to hand over her Offaly sash to the 2018 Faithful County contender, Katie Kehoe.
“Katie is a wonderful ambassador for Offaly,” says Jennifer. “I don’t need to give her any advice. She is fantastic just as she is. Just be you, because there’s no point pretending to be someone else.”
Katie hails from a dairy farm outside of Tullamore town, and is a dedicated sportswoman, playing camogie and Gaelic football at both club and county levels. Now entering her third year of a primary teaching degree at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, the accomplished young lady echoes the kindness and friendship of Jennifer.
“It was a bit nerve wracking at first to follow in Jennifer’s footsteps,” she admits. “But she is very nice to chat to and so down to earth.”
For more info on the festival, visit www.roseoftralee.ie
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