German Rose Ruth hoping to take title
FORMER BALBRIGGAN PUPIL IN RUNNING
German Rose, Ruth Levins from Drogheda, has the final alterations to her dress by designer Edmund McNulty in his Millmount studio.
BALBRIGGAN, Drogheda and Germany will share a unique bond next week as they cheer on a competitor at the 2010 Rose of Tralee competition. Ruth Levins ( 26) from Woodgrange on the Dublin Road in Drogheda will be representing her adopted home in the finals in front of thousands of people on the streets of the Kerry capital and on TV with Daithí O'Se. ' It's going to be a great adventure,' she told the Fingal Independent, in between a fitting for a specially made dress by Edmund McNulty at Millmount in Drogheda.
Living in Frankfurt for the past three years but working in Mainz as a commercial manager with Diageo, Ruth is a former student of the Loreto in Balbriggan and Julianstown NS.
' It's great to be taking part and we'll be travelling around the country this week before heading to Tralee for the Rose ball on Friday and then the TV part of things next Tuesday and Wednesday,' she stated. With mum and dad, Michael, a Clogherhead native, and Lena and sister, Rachel, acting as the support team, Ruth has had a hectic few weeks getting ready, having also travelled to Australia.
Local designer Edmund McNulty has been an inspiration. Based at Millmount for 10 years, he has come up with a special dress for the occasion, a classic black number called ' Tumbling Roses' and will have to be seen to be believed!
' It was a design I had in mind and then a rose came along and here we are with Ruth,' he stated. It features black silk roses and is sure to be a big hit. He is one of the top designers worldwide and the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker has bought his work. His knitwear is supplied around the world, including Germany.
' A lot of people have helped out and we'd also like to thank Fionnula in Coast in Scotch Hall for her support too. It is appreciated,' Mum Lena remarked.
A big GAA fan and a former member of the Drogheda swimming club, what is Ruth's party piece?
' I work for drinks company Diageo, so pulling the perfect pint of Guinness is something I've mastered,' she quipped.
- Hubert MURPHY
