Rose Of Tralee International : 2011 New York City Big Apple Rose of Tralee: Caitlin McNeill

NEW YORK CITIES BIG APPLE ROSE OF TRALEE CAITLIN McNEILL  TO COMPETE AT THE ROSE OF TRALEE REGIONAL SELECTION IN PORTLAOISE, IRELAND NEXT WEEKEND : JUNE 2011

2011 New York City Big Apple Rose of Tralee:  Caitlin McNeill 

USG Performing Arts Presenters, LLC, Cultural Director, Unateresa Gormley hosted the 2011 New York City Big Apple Rose of Tralee Festival Weekend at the legendary Hudson Theatre in Times Square from March 25-27, 2011. Selections of the NYC Big Apple Rose, Escort, Junior Roses, and Rosebuds were announced on the evening of March 27. Caitlin McNeill, of Brooklyn, New York, was crowned the 1st 2011 New York City Big Apple Rose of Tralee. A letter from The President Of Ireland, Mary McAleese (attached) sent a special message and endorsement to the NYC Big Apple Rose of Tralee and all the participants.

PUTTING THE "I" IN IRELAND AND THE "A" IN AMERICA

Caitlin McNeill is living up to the expectations of her role as the 1st New York City Big Apple Rose Of Tralee.  In her short reign to date, she has captured NYC by storm, she uses her title to champion awareness of her culture and history with her talent, her appearances and giving back to the community.  She donated her time and performed for Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Caitlin performed for Michael Flatley at a benefit,(attached) Irish Arts Center, River Park Festival, Gracie Mansion for the Mayor, City Hall and the Comptroller's Office. 

The formal meeting and introduction with Noel Kilkenny  Consul General Of Ireland(attached) at the Consul Generals Office in NY was very warm and welcoming. Noel's support for the 1st NYC Big Apple Rose Of Tralee even though he is from Clare, shows that his position on highlighting the presence of Irish Culture in New York and networking with young Irish and Irish American's is an integral part of his mission. He was impressed with our vision of putting the I in Ireland and the A in America through the cultural arts and business, New York being the gateway to the America's and Ireland the gateway to Europe.  Noel Kilkenny acknowledging and supporting our efforts was very impressive. He wished Caitlin the best of luck with the hopes she will get to the finals. 

 Caitlin's meeting and appearances with Joe Byrne, Head of the NY Office of Tourism Ireland(attached) and also with Ruth Moran(Tourism Ireland) and Ellen Talbot (Tourism Ireland)was a significant learning, sharing and networking experience in the promotion of Tourism and Business to Ireland. Caitlin will follow through in her years reign to continue to promote Ireland in every avenue. On her return she will be attending the New York/New Belfast Conference connecting Ireland and America and she is invited to the Consulates residents afterwards for a reception.

"Imagine Ireland"  Gluckman Ireland House NYU exhibition at Lincoln Center Library For the Performing Arts was very intriguing and captivating.  Caitlin was privileged to meet Marion R. Casey,PH.D.(attached) Clinical Asst. Professor & Senior Archivist, and daughter of Joan Dineen, 1960 NY Rose.   Part of Imagine Ireland is a year long season of Irish Arts in the US in 2011, an initiative of Cultural Ireland.  Created by Marion R Casey, PH.D. the exhibition explores aspects of Irish American performance history in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It explores the home as the incubator of cultural identity and the stage as the platform for ethnic creativity and transmission.  Marion invited us to sit and chat about where they collected and borrowed all the archives of Irish America.  She was very proud to open a book for Caitlin, showing her a picture of her mom when she was crowned the NY Rose in 1960.  Marion accompanied us on a leisurely, entertaining and informative experience with Irish music, dance and theater. 

Caitlin McNeill, also performed for Gabriel Byrne (attached)Cultural Ambassador Of Ireland at the Archaeological Of America Gala Ball, and also with Ronan Tynan and the Three Tenors at Carnegie Hall.

Caitlin McNeill, 21, is a Brooklyn, New York native. Caitlin graduated last Saturday from St. Joseph's College, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree summa cum laude with a double major in Child Study and Speech-Language Pathology. Caitlin plans to attend graduate school in the fall of 2011 to pursue a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She has been deeply rooted in New York City’s Irish community from a very young age. Caitlin  studied Irish Step Dancing since the age of 10, and has  shared her love of Irish dance and music by performing all over the U.S. She danced at Town Hall, The Duke Theater, on The Today Show, Fox and Friends, and at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall. Caitlin has also been featured in Dance Spirit Magazine. Over the past five years, she has been dedicated to helping educate young people in New York City by offering classes in schools, libraries, and daycare centers where she teaches not only Irish Step Dancing but its history. Caitlin has ties to Ireland through her great-grandparents who hail from Counties Kerry and Cork and Mayo.

Upon receiving her title, Miss McNeill said, "I am extremely proud and honored to represent my Irish heritage, as well as New York City, as New York Cities Big Apple Rose of Tralee. This title will give me the opportunity to meet many great people, form long-lasting memories, and embark on a journey that will provide me with an experience of a lifetime. As the New York City Big Apple Rose of Tralee, I plan to reach out and leave a positive impact on the lives of others, not only throughout this year, but for many years to come. I am confident I will successfully fulfill my duties as New York Cities Big Apple Rose of Tralee and do my very best to represent New York City in Ireland!" My great grandparents were born in Ireland. 

Now that I won the New York City Big Apple Rose of Tralee title, I go to the semi-finals held in Portlaoise in June. If I make it through to the final round of the competition, I go to Tralee in August! I went to St. Joseph's College in Brooklyn where I double majored in Child Study (Special Education) and Speech Pathology. I am graduating summa cum laude (the highest degee with honors) at the end of May, a few days before I go to Portlaoise! I will be attending graduate school in the fall to pursue a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I like to go to the traditional sessions. I love meeting new people, listening to the music and getting up to do a few steps in the informal, fun atmosphere.

New York City and More sending Caitlin McNeill the New York City Big Apple Rose of Tralee to Portlaoise in style:

Thanks for all the support and send off parties...........

From Oliver Cashels, Rambelers Rest in Monroe NY (50 miles North of the city) To Joanna and Buddy Connolly at Connolly's, Union, NJ (30 miles east of the city) to Rory Dolans,  "Rory Dolan's" and "Rambeling House" in the Bronx, NY, to "Jakes", Rosie O'Gradies, Steve Duggan, Paddy Reily's, Slattery's, All the government Offices, Lincoln Center Performing Arts Library, Emerald Fire Dance, Darrah Carr, Sean Murphy, Murphguide, e Nial O'Leary, The IBO, Origin Theater, Presidant McAleese, The Consul General Of Ireland, Noel Kilkenny, Marie Reilly, Consult Office, Tourism Ireland, Joe Byrne, Ruth Moran, Ellan Talbot, Enterprise Ireland, NYU, Irish Gluckman House, Marion Casey PH.D. Sephira, Sneaky Steppers, and all the dancers from the Lynn Acedamey, Donny Golden School, DeNogla School, O'Leary School, Peter smith School, Inishfree School, Pender/Keady School, Sheahan/Gormley School, Broesler School, Petri School and all the session musicians, Conor McGuirk, Nial Mulligan, Mclean Ave Band, and so many more.

USG Performing Arts Presenters and Unateresa Gormley pulled the event together with a handful of volunteers in less than three weeks: Lisa Goldenbergh, Patricia McManus, Whitney Jappe, Eddie McCabe, Karen Murphy, Ashling Coultin, Jackuline Honulik ....... Had one of the most beautiful historic Theaters in Time Square and now we have most of NYC and beyond supporting us with good wishes and willing to come on board to make it one of the best to hit NYC next year...... Good Luck Caitlin  "We All Love And Support You"