A 27–year old doctor from Galway has been chosen as the 2015 London Rose.
Aisling Hillary, and accident and emergency doctor in London’s Chelsea and Westminster hospital was chosen to represent London following a gala selection night at the famous Crown Hotel in Cricklewood on Saturday night.
Aisling, who grew up in Holland and has also lived in Sydney, impressed the judges with her love of Irish culture and community awareness will go forward to the regional finals in Portlaoise at the end of the month.
The accomplished fiddle and keyboard player is also a champion Irish dancer and is a member of the Fulham Irish Gaelic Football club in the city.
“It still has not sunk in,” she said. “Initially I was in complete shock when the judges called my name. When I saw my family and friends jumping around I was completely overwhelmed. I have received over 200 emails, phone calls and text messages since the announcement and my great aunty and uncle have been driving around our local village in Galway telling everyone.”
Aisling was chosen on Saturday night after the judges had the unenviable task of interviewing 13 other hopefuls from all walks of life.
Her first official engagement as the new London Rose will be to represent the London Rose centre at the regional finals in late May.
She added: “I really excited and looking forward to going to Ireland where a lot of family and friends will come along and support me. The London journey was very exciting and I met 13 other beautiful girls, I just cannot imagine what it will be like to meet 72 others from all over the world next month.”
Aisling was sponsored by well–known north London pub , the Claddagh Ring, and hopes to kick start a traditional Irish music feature at the venue as part of her year as the London Rose.