Town goes wild for Lilywhite Rose

WAS anybody left in Kildare town around lunchtime yesterday? Just a handful. Everyone else had rushed over to Newbridge Silverware Showrooms for the return of their latest celebrity.

“Vicky Barry is the Lilywhite Rose” proclaimed the giant banner as the 28 Rose of Tralee contestants arrived by coach.

Massed to honour their own, family, friends and neighbours sported white T-shirts extolling Vicky.

It was a double celebration. Vicky, who owns her own dance school, was all of 19 years yesterday.

“It’s my best birthday ever,” she exclaimed, immersed in the warmth of the welcome. “I really didn’t expect it.”

So is there someone special in her life to help her celebrate?

“There is not,” she hit back, and then the giggles swamped her: “I’m free and single and not looking for a man, thank you very much.”

Sinéad de Róiste was exuberant about her experience as Philadelphia’s Rose. “It’s phenomenal. It’s a lot of energy, very nice people, wonderful gifts. Newbridge is the best, seriously.”

Ulster’s Michaela Harte said: “it provides an opportunity for the whole family to come down. It will be nice for dad to get a break.” Hint: he’s called Mickey, manages Tyrone, and doesn’t have to worry about this year’s All-Ireland football final.

The effect the Roses had on the weather was incredible. It was lashing in Dublin, but by Newbridge they were basking in sunshine.

The Roses will meet the wild swans at Coole during a day-long tour of Galway city and county. The love of a beautiful woman inspired WB Yeats’ best poetry. His immortal lines from the Wild Swans at Coole, “I have looked upon those brilliant creatures, And now my heart is sore,” might have been penned with the Roses in mind.