CLARE Kambamettu (26) was crowned the 52^nd Rose last night in front of 2,000 people in the Festival Dome and hundreds of thousands more watching on RTÉ 1 television.

For the second year running the Rose of Tralee is not only representing London but she is also from Athy, Co Kildare, just like her predecessor, Charmaine Kenny.

Speaking after the announcement Clare said: “I am absolutely shocked. When Dáithí Ó Sé announced my name my first thought was ‘he’s joking’ but apparently he wasn’t. It’s such an honour to represent the 31 other girls who shared the whole experience with me over the past 10 days. Any of them could be here now.”

Not long after becoming the Rose of Tralee for 2010, Clare Kambamettu was cheered on by 10,000 people who had thronged the streets of Tralee to see their new Rose. After she was serenaded with the Rose of Tralee song the skies over Tralee were lit-up with the second spectacular fireworks display of the week.

Clare Kambamettu has a degree in Psychology (and in History) and an MSc in Mental Health. Eventually she hopes to complete a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and work within the field of Child and Adolescent Mental Health. She is passionate about animal welfare and an active member of her local RSPCA committee. Clare enjoys reading and going to the theatre, and will run her first half marathon this October in aid of Starlight Children’s Foundation.

She is well travelled having been to Australia, India, China and Europe. She is a fan of Roald Dahl, and is teaching herself to play the didgeridoo so almost mastered the art of circular breathing. Clare loves swimming off the coast of Connemara and landing in Dublin airport with that feeling of coming home. Clare was born in Leeds but raised in Ireland having moved there with her parents when she was eight, back to Co Kildare where her mother is from.

The new Rose of Tralee received a wonderful selection of jewellery as well as the full Homeware Collection from Newbridge Silverware, the lead sponsors of the Festival. She will also drive a Renault Mégane Coupé from Adams of Tralee while the Pilot Training College have given her a €25,000 travel fund to visit Rose of Tralee Centres in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and Dubai.

Ends

Issued by John Drummey Communications on behalf of the Rose of Tralee International Festival

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