Donegal's Amy Gillen described as 'a vision, like a shooting star' at Rose of Tralee

Donegal’s hopeful Amy Gillen gave an articulated, assured and educated performance on the stage at the 2023 Rose of Tralee International Festival on Monday night.

Amy, who was born in Letterkenny and grew up in Bridgetown, was crowned the Rose of London at the Rose of London ball at Clayton Hotel in Chiswick in May. “You are a vision, like a shooting star,” co-host Kathryn Thomas said of Amy, as she was introduced.

An accomplished musician, Amy, who is 27, graduated from the Royal College of Music in London and was awarded the Tagore Gold Medal by HRH King Charles lll. She also performed for the King at Windsor Castle.

Having taken up the flute at the age of eight, Amy thanked her parents for driving her and her brother from Donegal to Dublin every Saturday to Royal Irish Academy of Music. She then moved onto the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she has lived for four years.

“I trained in classical and in jazz music but I also play pop music and a few Irish melodies -about everything really,” she said. “When I lived out in Abu Dhabi for a little bit I worked with the UAE's first Emirati Rockband, Bafoory.

“Without my parents, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today and with that support, it took sacrifice to get where I am now so I'm so grateful to them for everything. They’ve been amazing.

“I just love getting connected with music generation, just connect with all you know. I work with at St Andrews Youth Club - the oldest in the world - and I teach at the Westminster Performance Arts School, so it's important for me to give something back.”

Amy paid tribute to the late Sinead O’Connor, who she described as an “icon” by saying “I was sad to hear her passing and was fortunate enough to get tickets to the London Irish Center to the ‘Gathering for Sinead,’ where so many amazing inspirational women gathered.

“It was hugely inspirational for me and Laura Whitmore, Ashley Bea and Annie Mac were there. I came away from that with people having told stories about Sinead and her life and it would inspire you, just carry on in the journey, be yourself and just do what you want to do.”

Amy released her debut album back in April, titled Flute Chapters and recorded a bonus ‘The Town I Love So Well’ by Phil Coulter and that was her performance at the end at the Rose of Tralee.

“So stunning” was how Kathryn Thomas, who is hosting with Dáithí Ó Sé, described the song.

The 32 International Roses are appearing across Monday, where 18 of the hopefuls were on, and then 14 more tomorrow before the winner is announced on Tuesday night.