Carlow Rose Shauna Ray Lacey revealed that both of her parents suffered from drug addiction in an emotional interview with Rose of Tralee host Daithí Ó Sé.
On the first evening of the final of the Rose of Tralee competition, Carlow Rose Shauna Ray Lacey established herself as one of the frontrunners after her touching and honest interview about her parents’ heroin addiction.
While Daithí referred to her as the “Mammy Rose,” the brave 24-year-old spoke about losing her father five years ago and becoming pregnant at 21, as her mother, also a recovering addict, cheered her on from the audience.
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Carlow Rose for the win! Finally, a Rose that connects with Modern Ireland & not the saccharine Ireland conjured by the competition. To get on that stage & talk about heroin (which has blighted the lives of many in Ireland) is a real gift #RoseOfTralee
— Declan Kavanagh (@DrDeclanK) August 20, 2018
"Growing up I wasn't dealt the best hand of cards. My parents were addicts. I was living with active addiction," she told host Daithí Ó Sé during her interview, adding that her mother went on to change her life around on learning that she was pregnant at 21.
"[My mother] said, 'I wasn't in your life but I will be in Emmy's life,'" Ray Lacey said, her daughter Emmy also winning herself fans as she watched her Mom on stage.
The Carlow Rose's kid ??? #RoseOfTralee pic.twitter.com/DSdhtiK24x
— DailyEdge (@dailyedge) August 20, 2018
The Carlow Rose explained that her parents had influenced her decision to work with charities that support addicts and their families, saying that her father was a kind and hard-working person despite his addiction.
She finished off with an emotional rendition of Aslan’s “Crazy World,” a song she said her father used to sing to her when she was young.
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Carlow Rose Shauna Ray Lacey sings a song her late father used to sing to her, Crazy World.#RoseofTralee live now#CarlowRising pic.twitter.com/zpP4cyek2O
— RTE One (@RTEOne) August 20, 2018
The Irish public was very impressed with the young Rose, taking online to share their thoughts about her inspirational bravery in speaking on a topic that you don’t often hear about on the Rose of Tralee.
First relevant contestant in fucking years #RoseofTralee
— Mallow News (@MallowNews) August 20, 2018
My goodness! The Carlow Rose. Take a bow! To be able to share her story in front of the nation and create awareness to such a real situation in many households across the country. Simply inspiring #RoseOfTralee #CarlowRose
— Stephen Shannon (@StephenShannon8) August 20, 2018
The Carlow Rose story is inspiring. She’s been through so much and has done so much for addiction services/charities. A beautiful woman. Hope she wins. #RoseofTralee
— Niamh Traynor ? (@NiamhTraynor) August 20, 2018
Carlow rose talking about addiction in the family and having a surprise pregnancy- fair fucks to her, 10/10 #RoseOfTralee
— Rachel Farrell (@rachelvfarrell) August 20, 2018
The final will conclude tonight with the second batch of finalists before the winner is announced.
Did you watch the first half of the Rose of Tralee? Who was your favorite Rose? Let us know in the comments section, below.
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