Talented queen: A rose in full bloom

She studied pharmacy, came to Dubai to teach and is now working with an advertising agency. And just when Emma Dwane thought she was settling down in life, it changed again.

The 23-year-old Irish national won the Rose of Dubai crown at the recently concluded 15th Dubai Rose Ball, an annual event organised by the local Irish community as part of a bigger festival, the Rose of Tralee, organised annually in Ireland involving participation of Irish women from across the world.

Good time

I made lots of new friends and the whole event boosted my confidence.

“My sister won the Limerick Rose title in 2005 and she asked me to go for it. She didn’t share any tips but just asked me to go ahead and have a good time and be myself. She was the first person I spoke to as I was adjudged the winner,” said Dwane.

She was one of the 11 finalists who were judged by a panel of judges at the Dubai Rose Ball hosted by Westin Hotel on May 23.

“The competition was stiff but we were all nervous which put us all on a level playing field. Not that I fancied my chances. To be honest I thought the [half] Emirati girl Amna would have walked away with the title. I was only there for craic [Irish slang for having fun]. And a great craic it was. I made lots of new friends and the whole event boosted my confidence.”

She did, however, admit to being nervous while walking on stage on the night of the Ball. “During rehearsals I tripped twice, first when my shoe fell off and then I stepped on my dress. I couldn’t get that out of my mind on the final day.” She obviously saved the best for last and waltzed away with the crown.

Poetic justice

The daughter of a beekeeper Emma was prepared for questions about bees. “The minute I was on stage I was asked to speak about bees. Then I spoke about my fear of cockroaches. And finally I recited my party piece, a poem.” The poem, which she wrote just the night before the big day, was inspired by her experiences in Dubai.

Writing poems, she confesses, is her favourite pastime. But right now she is on song and she is making the most of it.


Festival history

The Rose of Tralee Festival was started in 1959 in Ireland. The event is all about young Irish women coming together and experiencing Ireland, trading information about where they are from and comparing what they have in common.

The Rose of Tralee represents something wholesome and elegant while extolling intelligence and independence.

It is very different from a pageant event such as the Miss World event where the ladies are asked to walk across a stage and be judged on the size and shape of their body. The Rose of Tralee is about the package – talent, intelligence and beauty, but mainly personality.