Only local to win Rose title passes away

The death has taken place in Bordeaux of the only local ever to become the Rose of Tralee.

Margaret O’Keeffe-Flynn, 66, was a student nurse when she was chosen as the Tralee Rose at a dance in the town in 1964, going on to win the overall title on a balmy August night.

One of the judges was the late playwright John B Keane.

Her prize was “a continental holiday”, which she took with her late mother Madge, she recalled in 2009, during the festival’s 50th celebrations.

Ms O’Keeffe-Flynn qualified as a midwife and worked in New York, Dublin, and Scarriff, Co Clare.

She married a GP, Dr Neville Flynn from Clare, who passed away some years ago.

Ms O’Keeffe-Flynn has lived in Bordeaux for the past five years. She died after a short illness surrounded by members of her family.

General manager of the Rose of Tralee, Oliver Hurley, expressed his sympathy.

“Margaret was the only Tralee Rose to have been selected as the Rose of Tralee.

“She was the perfect lady who never made a fuss and she passed away as serenely as she had lived,” said Mr Hurley.

“Margaret was graceful, unassuming and loved to keep in touch with the wider Rose family, returning to Tralee for the festival on many occasions.”

She is survived by her son Robert and daughter Ciara, and her sister and brother, Jackie and Aidan.