To find out more about Maggie McEldowney, see her interview on stage here.
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Organisers of Ireland’s Rose of Tralee contest have defended security measures after a lone protester stormed the stage during a live television broadcast.
MAGGIE McEldowney, representing Chicago, is the 2016 Rose of Tralee.
Her grandmother, Brigid O’Neill, was born and raised in Maghera, Co Derry.
A rose drumming her way to the top.
The 27-year-old works as the director of development at Chicago’s Marist High School.
She said: “I guess you think about it (winning) but you don’t really let your mind get there, you’re just so happy every step you make”. I’m just beaming with pride because I know the people back home and the people I’m representing at my Centre are very special. It’s not a job when you go in and you love it.
She said that becoming the Rose of Tralee is a dream come true. It is part of the festival held in Tralee, Kerry, once a year.
The Rose of Tralee is a pageant for women of Irish heritage from around the world.
“He thought he was doing good for his cause, but there’s a time and a place and I don’t think the Rose of Tralee was it”.
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In a change to the format of the competition this year, the Roses were put through their paces on stage last Thursday and Friday with only 32 making it through to the live finals.
