Donegal Daily had the pleasure of interviewing Donegal Rose Amy Kate Callaghan this week!
She will be representing the county at this year’s Rose of Tralee 2017 which is set to begin on the 16th of August.
Best of Luck Amy Kate!
This is Amy Kate’s Donegal…
1.What is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
Anywhere, it’s the most beautiful county, but if I had to choose, I’d say the coast road from the Blue Haven hotel into Kilcar, because the scenery is absolutely breath taking.
2. If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
The weather!
3. Who is the one person that you look up to and why?
Both my granny’s. My mother’s mother had 12 children, my father’s mother had 9 and they have still kept their sense of humour!
4. What’s your happiest memory in Donegal?
Spending summers surfing and having BBQs on the beach with my cousins in Kilcar and celebrating Glenswilly’s victories in the senior club championship finals!!
5. What has been Donegal’s proudest moment in recent years?
Too many to count! Between winning the All Ireland championship in 2012, Star Wars being filmed in Malin and Donegal being named “the coolest place on earth” by the national geographic, it’s hard to pick one.
6. What would be the first thing you’d buy if you won the lottery?
Pay off my student loan… then a holiday home in Portugal.
7. If you had a million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?
I’d buy a stretch of railway track, in the hope it would inspire our government to invest in the infrastructure of this county!
8. Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
Daniel O Donnell, because wherever he goes he promotes Donegal and takes the time to speak to everyone.
9. What has been the biggest compliment you’ve ever received?
Anything from my family and friends really or having a random person come up to me in the middle of a take away to tell me he loves me?
10. Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
I’m torn between my two neighbours, Michael Murphy, for obvious reasons and Anna Hennessy, who has qualified for Team Ireland to swim at the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships.
11. What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
It depends what you’re in the mood for! If it’s a decent burger you’re after, head to Backstage Bar and Grill at Century Complex or The Red Door, Fahan, for that special occasion.
12. What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
Saying “Hello, how are you?” to random people you meet on the street! It’s so typical of Donegal friendliness.
13. What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?
The possibility that Brexit could re-introduce border control I’d say.
14. Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
Again…the weather.
15. Do you have a favourite local band?
For Foresters.
16. Where’s the most unusual place you’ve logged on to Donegal Daily?
Cabanas de Tavira in the Algarve?
17. Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of?
That sense of community that exists in every small club in the county. The way people selflessly give of their spare time to help and encourage others. Winning Ulster and All Ireland football championship finals. The international success of people like Clannad, Altan, Daniel O Donnell, Jason Quigley, Jason Black and more recently Amybeth Mc Nulty, now a Netflix sensation, I could go on….
18. Daniel O’Donnell or Packie Bonner?
Hmm… does Tom Hardy count?
19. What’s has been the most rewarding part about being named the Donegal Rose?
The support from everyone has been overwhelming! I love meeting and talking to new people and this has given me the opportunity to do just that. I also get to fundraise and promote for two very worthy causes, Pieta House and Jigsaw Donegal. I have been given the chance to give back to the community and for that I am very grateful. I can’t wait for the year ahead now.
20. Who has supported you in becoming a Rose?
My sponsors and all the staff at Century Letterkenny, my co-ordinator Elaine McIlnaw, the 2016 Donegal Rose Zoe Mc Gettigan, The Rose of Tralee Centre in Kerry, all my fellow Rose Sisters, anyone who has asked me to attend appearances or events, my club Glenswilly GAA, Tokyo Dress hire, local celebrity faces who have posed for photos, friends and family… Honestly the whole county!
21. Why should you be Ireland’s next Rose of Tralee?
I love Ireland, and winning the Rose of Tralee would ensure I get to go to new and amazing countries to share my culture with theirs! Now that I’ve come this far, it’d be silly not to give it my best shot! I’m just looking forward to the year as Donegal Rose regardless. it’s been a phenomenal journey so far and I can only imagine what the festival in August and thereafter will hold.
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