23-year old Róisín Ryan Egenton, representing New York, was crowned the first Rose of Tralee of the new millennium on Tuesday 22nd August in the Festival Dome, Tralee in front of a live audience of over 2,000 and a television audience of 1.2 million.
Róisín has always wanted to live and work in Ireland and this was the primary reason for getting a Degree in International Studies. She is currently residing in Fanwood, New Jersey with her parents, Michael and Katherine, and her brother Cormac. Róisín loves performing and has played the violin since the age of 3.
The new Rose of Tralee takes over the mantle from the 1999 Rose, Geraldine O'Grady from Cork. Róisín became emotional when she addressed the thousands who gathered in Denny Street to see the new Rose after the selection process in the Dome. She said that she had made 27 new friends over the last few days and she never knew that such strong friendships could occur in such a short period. She hoped they would be enduring.
She was serenaded on the Ashe Stage by Lisselton tenor, Bryan Carr before a spectacular fireworks display brought the 2000 Festival to a close.
