Donegal Rose of Tralee contestant, Amy Callaghan has set her sights high — dreaming of becoming an aerial performer in Cirque du Soleil.
The Letterkenny woman, 22, is one of 64 Roses from around the world hoping to be named Rose of Tralee on August 22.
And Amy, who recently completed a dance degree at Ulster University, hopes she’ll be able to showcase her dizzying talent in the Rose Dome at the festival.
“I’ve been training in aerial dance for the past two years. After the Rose of Tralee, I hope to go to the Aircraft Circus School in London to do a three-month programme.
“It’s a really intense course — five days a week, eight hours a day of training.
“I’m hoping to get to Cirque du Soleil eventually. The entry process is really tough and for aerial you have to submit a video to an adjudicator before you even get called to audition.
“The casting call could be anywhere in the world — London, Paris, Montreal.
“Top athletes go for it so it’s going to take a lot of serious training to get to that level but I want to do it now while I’m still young,” she told the Irish Sun.
Of the 64 Roses chosen from locations worldwide, just 32 will get to represent their region on the two televised shows hosted by Daithi O Se.
And while Amy would love to perform her act on stage, she said safety concerns may prevent her from doing so.
She said: “The dome is essentially a marquee, so it might not be stable enough to suspend the harness from.
“I’d love to do it but I’m not sure if it would be possible, with insurance and everything. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
As well as her love of aerial performing, Amy has trained in Irish dance, ballet, hip hop and musical theatre.
She also hopes to study for a diploma in sports massage and Thai massage therapy in the future.
During her time as Donegal Rose, Amy is on a mission to raise funds and awareness for mental health charities in her county — Jigsaw, a youth mental health organisation, and Pieta House Letterkenny.
Amy said: “I am so grateful for the incredible opportunity of being chosen as the Donegal Rose and want to give something back to those less fortunate.
“If I can use this position to help others, then it will have been a success in my eyes.”
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