In August 2019 when Sinéad Flanagan won the Rose of Tralee, little did she know she’d become the longest serving Rose of all time due to a global pandemic. Sinéad handed back her crown at the recent festival before returning to Boston to further her medical career.
Tell me a bit about yourself, where you grew up & your family background.
I grew up in Mungret in Co. Limerick and moved to Adare when I started secondary school. I am one of two children. I am the eldest and have one younger brother Niall. Both my parents are secondary school teachers. My dad is school principal for a number of years now. My mum is from Cork and my father is from Roscommon.
Where did you go to school and college?
I attended secondary school in the Crescent College Comprehensive in Dooradoyle in Limerick which was fantastic. I then studied physiotherapy at the University of Limerick followed by Medicine in UCC. I also completed a Masters in Public Health there, finishing up in 2020.
Who has been your strongest influences in your life so far?
I have been very lucky to have a number of wonderful people and friends who have been a fantastic support system for me throughout life. I would have to say my parents have probably been the strongest influence throughout my life, showing steadfast support, enthusiasm and encouragement, and they have certainly enabled me to achieve my goals, and they have just been wonderful cheerleaders. So, I am indebted to them and so grateful for everything they have done.
How did you decide to enter into the Rose of Tralee? Was it always a dream of yours growing up as a little girl?
I was always a great fan of the Rose of Tralee as a little girl, particularly watching it with my mum every Summer, and I always thought about possibly applying for it. Like everyone, we always put things off and different things such as school, college, work and travelling got in the way, but eventually in 2019 I decided to go for it and I haven’t looked back since.
In 2020 you participated in a fundraiser for Pieta House and you also volunteered abroad, can you tell me what those experiences were like?
One of my greatest privileges as the Rose of Tralee was getting the opportunity to become involved with wonderful charities including the fantastic Pieta House and international charities such as the Hope Foundation, run by the wonderful Maureen Forrest, and Chernobyl Children International run by the all-inspiring Adi Roche. In November 2019 I travelled to Kolkata in India with the Hope Foundation and witnessed first-hand the outstanding work done by their teams there in schools, hospitals and care facilities. It was just amazing to see the tireless work done by this amazing charity. In February 2020 I travelled to Vesnova in rural Belarus with some of my fellow Roses and Rose Escorts, and we visited the Vesnova children’s institution which cares for children and young people affected by the cross generational effects of the nuclear disaster. Here we saw the trojan work carried out by Adi Roche and her fantastic team in providing care and education.
Do you feel that the aftermath of winning the Rose was different due to Covid?
My time as the Rose of Tralee was obviously unexpectedly extended due to the pandemic. As a result of public health restrictions and travel restrictions certain trips and events were cancelled. Our community kept in contact through online events, and we also organised some virtual fundraisers. However, it has been fantastic to return to in person activities in 2022.
What experiences did you achieve from being the Rose for 3 years?
Acting as the caretaker of the sash and representing my 2019 class and the festival for 3 years, through an uncertain period, is something I was very proud to do.
What advice would you give to any prospective Rose thinking of entering the Competition.
I would strongly encourage anyone who is thinking of applying for the Rose of Tralee to take the leap! The chance to meet new people, become involved with wonderful charitable organisations, and travel while representing yourself and your community is a wonderful opportunity.
Have you made lifelong friends from the experience?
The festival presents a wonderful opportunity to meet women from across Ireland and certain countries around the world. I have been extremely fortunate to gain magnificent friends from the festival whom I will continue to cherish for years to come. For our recent wedding, two Roses performed the ceremony music, another acted as a fantastic bridesmaid while others were the life and soul of the party!
Where have you travelled while being a Rose?
Travel has been a significant highlight of my Rose journey. From the twinkling lights of the Christmas Markets in Frankfurt hosted by the German Rose Centre to the “Big Apple”. St Patrick’s Day in New York was magical – breakfast at the Mayor of New York’s home in Gracie Mansion, being a guest at mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, an NYPD car escort through Manhattan and walking down 5th Avenue with my 2019 fellow Roses and Rose escorts – a standout day! A tour of some of the States in Southern America with Rose sisters was also a bucket list achievement. Although further trips were unfortunately derailed by global travel restrictions, the opportunities I was afforded to celebrate our Irish culture internationally with our diaspora have been wonderful.
Did you always want to become a doctor?
A career in healthcare is always something that greatly interested me. I initially studied Physiotherapy and then decided to pursue Medicine. It has been a great profession to date and I am thoroughly enjoying it.
How did you juggle being a Rose and working as a doctor?
In 2019 after I was selected, I embarked on a full-time Masters in Public Health which I completed alongside my Rose duties. In 2020, I returned to work in the hospital and received great support from my colleagues which enabled me to balance my work in medicine with my duties as the Rose of Tralee.
What are your goals for the future?
I have just relocated to Boston with my husband, so at the moment I am excited to settle into this new adventure. In terms of the future, I hope to return to Ireland, complete my medical training and I look forward to more special times with family and friends.
What will you miss most about being the Rose of Tralee?
Acting as the Rose of Tralee for 3 years was a fantastic experience but the Rose of Tralee is a family and I will continue to attend reunions both with my 2019 class and with the International Rose of Tralee. Although I won’t be wearing the sash, I will definitely remain a very active member of the Rose of Tralee family and I am looking forward to embarking on that new journey.
