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In the summer of 2010 a family from Castlecomer went to Tralee on holiday. With her aunty and cousins, eight-year-old Molly Coogan watched as the beautiful Roses paraded through the town as part of the Rose Festival, and got all their autographs. Fast forward to the summer of 2022 and Molly is now the Kilkenny Rose and will be signing autographs for other little girls when she takes part in the festival this week.“I’ll be doing that now!” Molly said with a mixture of excitement, anticipation and nerves, as she enjoyed her last quiet day in Castlecomer before joining the around-Ireland Rose Tour. Scroll down to read about Molly's preparation for the Rose of Tralee and click 'NEXT' for more photos of her journey! ABOVE: At the Killarney Races The Irish Roses met up with the Roses from international centres for the first time in Wexford, last Thursday. It was the start of an exciting week for Molly that will culminate in her appearance on stage at the Dome in Tralee, and on our televisions, this week. Like most Irish people, Molly watched the Rose of Tralee on television every year, admiring the lovely dresses and trying to predict who would win.The international festival was cancelled for two years because of Covid, but earlier this year entries reopened. Revealed: The SIX Kilkenny escorts at this year's Rose of Tralee! In Castlecomer it was Anne Coogan who spotted the news in the Kilkenny People and encouraged her daughter Molly to enter. A busy student in UCD, where she’s studying business and law, Molly is also involved with several groups in Castlecomer and was at first reluctant to enter. But is now delighted she did. “My mam is loving it,” she said. She was Molly’s right-hand-woman in the preparations for 12-day Rose Tour. “She’s having a lot of fun with it, like my personal assistant and doing a lot of work. I don’t know what I’d do without her!” Molly said.Following her selection as the Kilkenny Rose, Molly and Anne have spent lots of time at Catwalk boutique on Rose Inn
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Enjoying the Rose Banquet at Barberstown Castle were James Coogan, Daithí O'Shea Joe Coogan and Molly Coogan Kilkenny Rose
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Molly with the staff of Castlecomer Day Care Centre
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Molly Coogan with her Castlecomer Basketball Club teammates Ann Fahey and Leah Fahey