BEVERLY — Maeve McSweeney will head back to Ireland next month to compete in the Rose of Tralee International Festival in County Kerry, Ireland.
McSweeney, a Beverly native, advanced to the international competition over the weekend after competing in a regional contest Port Laoise, Ireland. She was there as the 2015 Chicago Rose of Tralee representative.
The recent graduate of Marquette University won the Chicago competition on March 25. It was her second time competing in the pageant that aims to showcase Irish heritage.
She first entered the competition last year after being named 2014 South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen.
The Rose of Tralee International Festival will be held from Aug. 14-18. The tourism-boosting event is named for the love song "The Rose of Tralee" by William Mulchinock.
According the the pageant's website, Mulchinock was a 19th century merchant who was in love with Mary O'Connor, his maid. She was born in Broguemaker's Lane in Tralee and also worked as a nanny.
"When William first saw Mary he fell in love with her, but because of the difference in social class between the two families their love affair was discouraged. William emigrated, and some years later returned to Tralee only to find Mary had died of tuberculosis," the site states.
Mulchinock was broken hearted and expressed his love for her in the words of the song.
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