Cheering on Emer, and memories of another Kilcullen Rose

We can be sure that an unusually large number of Kilcullen people will be tuned in to the Rose of Tralee live interviews over the next few nights, cheering on Kilgowan's Emer Fogarty, writes Brian Byrne.

We're all rooting for her in the competition, with the sign above from McTernan's just one of many gracing businesses and clubs in the area showing that.

It brings back to mind another 'Kilcullen' Rose contender back in 1988, when Sharon Whelan was the San Francisco Rose. She was also the Kilcullen proxy Rose, as her dad JJ Whelan was originally from Nicholastown, and had built up a business and a life in San Francisco. His wife Vera was a Dunne from Ballyshannon, and they married in Washington DC.

There was a special surprise reception for Sharon, the eldest of the three Whelan girls, in The Hideout, organised by my late brother Des and involving presentations from a number of the clubs and organisations JJ had been part of before he emigrated.

But this week, it's Emer's turn, and we all wish her the best of luck.

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