2 September 1998

By Tom Shiel

A LATE Late Show date beckons on Friday night for the 1998 Rose of Tralee, Castlebar girl Luzveminda O'Sullivan.

Gay Byrne, who judged his last Rose of Tralee finals, was very taken by the elegance, poise and intelligence of the 2I year old Trinity College Student.

He made a point of speaking personally to Luzveminda , who is better known as Mindy, after the final and enquiring whether she would be available for the first show of the season.

It is believed to be the first time ever a Rose of Tralee has been featured on the Late Late- a tribute indeed to Mindy's looks and personality.

Despite the adulation heaped on Mindy after her big win, she is determined to keep her feet on the ground and continue her third level studies at Trinity College.

The exotic looks of the new Rose has attracted the attention of top model Agency, Assets of Dublin.

Assets have made an offer which is being considered at the moment by Noreen Cassidy, Chief Executive of the Rose of Tralee.

Mindy hasn't ruled out modelling but made it clear at the weekend: "I intend to go back to Trinity on October 30th. My studies are very important and they will take number one priority".

Trips to the States and Canada are being planned as part of the new Rose's 1998/1999 itinerary.

During Mindy's Late Late Show appearance on Friday, Gay Byrne is expected to particularly explore her strong bond with her family and tell how the family coped following the sudden death of her mother, Florita, eleven years ago.

"It's a fairytale story really", commented a Late Late producer. "Following the death of her mother, Mindy played a key role in rearing the rest of her family while at the same time looking after her education. She is an example for all young women to aspire to".

Mindy will appear in her official capacity at Ballinrobe Races on Sunday.

Rose cuttings....

A win for Kerry on Sunday would have suited Mindy O'Sullivan's family nicely. After all, Sean's uncle played with distinction for Kerry in the thirties and forties. And Sean's mother, 86 year old Joan, who lives in Erris, is as fervent a Kingdom supporter as you will find anywhere. Little wonder then that a slight gloom.......very slight I can assure you...descended on the O'Sullivan household on Sunday evening when the final whistle blew in the Kerry/Kildare match. Mindy herself watched the match in Galway where she had stayed overnight with Galway Rose organiser Mary Murphy. "A Kerry/Galway final would have been nice. But a Kildare /Galway final will be just as good. I am looking forward to a good match", the new Rose explained on Sunday night. Expect to see Mindy on the telly during the All-Ireland final as radiant as a rainbow up there among such VIP's as President McAleese and Bertie Ahern.

While Mindy was with the Roses in Tralee, close neighbour Evelyn Power was minding the family potted blooms back home in Riverdale Court. Mother of two Evelyn wasn't the slighest bit surprised by Mindy's victory. "She's the loveliest girl you could find, a credit to her father and late mother", Evelyn commented. That confidence was felt right through Riverdale Court. "She is the most cool and composed person I know", commented another neighbour Michael Patten as he hung a flag and bunting on a nearby pole.

Should Mindy be known as the Mayo Rose rather than the Galway Rose? Residents of the estate where the Rose of Tralee lives with her family appear to have come up a compromise. "Welcome to the Riverdale Rose" ran the writing on a banner which bedecked the main entrance to the estate on Sunday night. Nice one Riverdale.....that should solve the "war of the roses"...at least for now that is.

Driving Ivan

In his time, Ivan Browne has acted as chauffeur to politicians such as the present EU Commissioner, Padraig Flynn and former Taoisigh Charles Haughey and Albert Reynolds among others. On Sunday, Ivan drove the new Rose around town in the splendid Welcome Inn Bentley which is normally used for weddings. With Mindy's boyfriend Patrick Flannelly also on board, could this be a trial run for future nuptials? Tones of greatness

It's amazing how similar the new Rose's voice is to former President Mary Robinson especially when she is speaking on radio or television. Since Mindy returned home, quite a lot of people have remarked on the similarity. Mindy's roots are Castlebar, Knockmore and Ballycroy so she has hardly been brought up or moved in the same circles as Mrs. Robinson. Yet, Mindy and Mary have a number of things in common- Trinity College and the fact that they are both brilliant academically. Whatever about the former President and now U.N. Commissioner, I expect Ms O'Sullivan to bring further honour to her family and county in the future.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - September 1998