Hon the Déise!!
After 2 action-packed nights on the Dome stage, the pale moon rose highest for Kirsten Mate Maher as she was last night crowned the 59th Rose of Tralee.
Congratuations to this year's #RoseofTralee, Waterford Rose Kirsten Mate Maher! pic.twitter.com/dWXmcmY0Dg
— RTE One (@RTEOne) August 21, 2018
On this morning's Dermot and Dave, the lads gave her a congratulatory call to find out how she's feeling after picking up the award. And she cannot speak highly enough about the competition.
The 21-year-old is very humble as she says, "I didn't even think I'd get the Waterford Rose".
Kirsten is the 3rd Waterford lady to receive the accolade and told the lads how she really has made friends for life. And it's not just a figure of speech, which Dermot thought it might be.
She also emphasised how she doesn't want to get caught up in the 'first African-Irish Rose' angle as she feels, "the Rose of Tralee isn't about looks".
Having being accepted to a college course in Waterford I.T in September, Kirsten's in no rush to make any "rash decisions" right now. But that didn't stop the lads from trying to coax her to come work with us here. We're a sound bunch sure.
And you never know, after her stunning performance of a Nina Simone classic on Monday night, she may well go down the singing route.
Have a listen:
A little reminder of the Rose of Tralee 2018's performance from Monday night.
Congratulations Kirsten.#RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/GST0T4vJG9— RTE One (@RTEOne) August 21, 2018
There's no doubt she's feeling good today.
Check out the chat in full by pressing the play button in the image at the top of the page.
