Niamh Shevlin gets into the swing of things ahead of Rose of Tralee festival

Donegal’s Rose of Tralee hopeful is getting into the swing of things ahead of the beginning of festival week.

Niamh Shevlin from Glenswilly was at the official launch, with hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas, who met this year’s 32 International Roses at Airfield Estate, Dublin.

Niamh won the Donegal Rose selection, in association with R McCullagh Jewellers, at the Central Hotel, Donegal Town, to confirm her participation.

The daughter of Mick and Geralyn from Bomany, Niamh is an accomplished Irish dancer alongside her twin Gavin and has previously taken part in Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland’s largest and longest-running festivals. It features the selection of the Rose of Tralee, an international event that involves young women of Irish descent from Ireland and around the world.

Every year more than 30 International Roses come to Tralee, supported by friends and family. All eyes are on the Roses, who travel from the UK, America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East and of course Ireland to take part in the festival, the essence of which is based on the popular song of the same name.