Rose of Tralee makes special visit to her granny in Limerick care home

RÓISÍN Wiley showed off last week just why she was chosen as the Rose of Tralee as she made a pit stop in Limerick. 

Despite being pulled and dragged in every direction, the New York Rose popped in to see her grandmother, Eileen Wiley, in Beech Lodge Care Facility, Bruree, and had time for every resident

Róisín is very proud of her south and west Limerick genes through her dad Eddie Wiley, from Kilmallock, and mum Majella (née O'Reilly), of Templeglantine.

Eileen is her sole remaining grandparent and is the proudest granny in Ireland.

Anne Maria Moore, proprietor of Beech Lodge, said there was great excitement among Eileen and the residents in the run up to the Rose of Tralee festival.

“Eileen was counting down the days. She’s a lovely lady and is absolutely thrilled at Róisín's success.

“They watched it back on TV on Wednesday and had a party to celebrate,” said Ms Moore.

And who should walk in the doors of Beech Lodge at 5.30pm on Friday but the Rose of Tralee herself.

Róisín didn't get to experience the dome in Tralee as the festival has moved locations but she was centre stage in the dome in Beech Lodge where all the activities take place.

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“The staff had the Rose of Tralee song playing and had made a beautiful banner congratulating Róisín. Eileen was over the moon to see her granddaughter. She couldn't have been prouder. They had a lovely embrace.

“Róisín went around to every resident, had a chat with each one and had photos taken.

“Róisín couldn't have been nicer. Everybody is still on a high after it,” said Ms Moore, who praised her staff for pulling out all the stops by organising a party at such short notice.

Kilmallock and Templeglantine would also like to celebrate the Rose of Tralee win, with respective local councillors Mike Donegan and Liam Galvin hoping to honour Róisín in her mum and dad's homeplaces in the future.