New Rose remembers tragic Galway cousin in midst of her Tralee glory

The newly crowned Rose of Tralee has her roots firmly planted in the west – but on the biggest night of her life, she took time to recount the loss of her cousin in a tragic road accident where three Galway students lost their lives.

Maria Walsh represented Philadelphia but has Connemara connections through her mother, Noreen, originally from Leitir Mór.

Maria, who was born in Boston and now lives in Philadelphia, was reared in Laragan, Shrule, where she attended the local national school and where her family still reside. And she is also a past pupil of Presentation College, Headford.

But during her interview, she tearfully recalled the death of 19 year old Teresa Molloy, who died in the crash between Milltown and Ballindine on the N17 with three other college friends in November 2009. A fifth occupant of the car survived but is even still recovering from her serious injuries.

The daughter of proud parents Vincent and Noreen, Maria revealed that she has three tiny ladybirds tattooed behind her right ear in memory of her cousin. The pixie faced young woman said her cousin “loved life and would have made a much better Rose than me.”

Maria is an excellent footballer and during her time in PCH, as well as playing for her school, she also played for Mayo U-14, U-16 and county minors.

Maria was then selected for the Underdogs on TG4 which featured a group of fine footballers from all over Ireland playing in different locations every week.

She has always been an active member of the Pioneer Movement and the No Name Club, winning the Hostess of the Year in 2006.

She moved to Philadelphia in 2011 and started working for women’s fashion house, Anthropologie, where she is currently studio manager.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.