CARLOW Rose Ciara Dooley may not have made it to our TV screens this week, but that hasn’t stopped her having “the time of her life” in the Kingdom.

“She is having the time of her life; she has made so many new friends. I don’t think there’s anywhere in the world she won’t be able to visit after this,” said Mia Morrissey from the Carlow Rose Committee. “Ciara is the life and soul of the party down here. She is always in such good form, smiling and laughing. She’s been absolutely brilliant.

Carlow rose Ciara Dooley and Laois rose Maeve Dunne met At your service’s Francis Brennan during their visit to the Park Hotel in Kenmare
Photo: Domnick Walsh

“She’s represented Carlow so well – every chance she gets, she’s mentioning Carlow. What’s really great about Ciara is that she’s totally been herself here; there’s no show and that’s what people absolutely love about Ciara,” added Mia warmly.

Sixty-four roses from Ireland and the world have been in Tralee for the Rose Festival, with just 32 selected to go on stage for the international final last night (Monday) and tonight (Tuesday). While Ciara wasn’t among the finalists, she took the disappointing news in her stride.

“She was disappointed, which is understandable, but after a few minutes she was back up with the other roses singing We’re all in this together from High School Musical,” smiled Mia.

“During the parade on Saturday night, her whole family were here, following her the full length of the parade chanting ‘We love you, Ciara!’ That really cheered her up,” Mia said.