Aisling Reihill's time is finally here. And come next Monday and Tuesday night, the 20-year-old Donagh girl will be flying the Fermanagh flag high on RTE as she does her bit to put the county well and truly on the map as we enter our first International Rose of Tralee Final.
An impressive turnout of well wishers gathered in Donagh on Sunday afternoon to wave the physiotherapy student off prior to her initial meeting with the other 30 Roses in Dublin on Sunday night. Preparations to have a big screen in place to accommodate all those who can't make the Tralee event are already in place at Donagh Club house, and with signs declaring 'Sam goes to Kerry, the Rose comes to Fermanagh', the atmosphere in the village is already proving to be one of pride and jubilance.
None of the hype has however fazed Aisling, who in her familiar down-to-earth demeanour is determined to enjoy the experience for what it is rather than set her goals on the final prize.
Speaking to the 'Herald' from Dublin on Monday, she said she was excited rather than nervous ahead of the week long event.
"I'm just really excited now, some people are asking me, are you not nervous?, and while I maybe a wee bit nervous on the night, I don't think there is anything to be nervous about. The girls are just enjoying the craic and there is so much to do this week, that there won't be anytime to get nervous.
"It's brilliant to be here and I have been telling everybody that this is the first time for Fermanagh to in the Final. The support from home has been fantastic so it will be great to represent everybody at the Festival."
We won't know until the weekend which night Aisling will be performing on our screens - something she says is being determined by RTE producers who want to ensure a balanced mix of singing, dancing and various other party pieces on both nights as well as an appropriate blend of personalities. She did confirm however that time permitting, she would be reading a light-hearted Irish poem entitled 'The Legend of Ireland Magic Harp'.
She has been sharing a room with the San Francisco Rose, but has to wait until Friday to learn who her Festival escort will be.
Already, the week is proving to be a hectic but enjoyable one as the Rose Tour gets underway.
After a jam-packed visit around Dublin, including visits to RTÉ, Clontarf Castle, Dublin Zoo and the Guinness Storehouse, the Roses depart today for Westmeath.
Enroute, they will stop off in Kildare for a tour of the Newbridge Silverware workshops. Home to the Roses tonight is The Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, where highlights will include a boating trip on Lough Ree and a hot air balloon trip.
The tour continues on to the Shannon region tomorrow taking in the Cliffs of Moher before reaching Limerick city. Entertainment will be provided at Bunratty Castle where the girls will meet their escorts.
The five-day Festival will open with the renowned International Gala Rose Ball on Friday.
Anticipation however, will reach its climax at the Rose of Tralee Selection event on the last two days of Festival. Broadcast live by RTE from the 2,000 seater Festival Dome and hosted by Ray D'Arcy, it is the moment when viewers throughout the county will be rooting for Aisling and predicting who the judges favourite choice for the Rose of Tralee crown will be.
