Galway Rose, Deirdre Jennings, bravely opened up about her mental health struggles during the Rose of Tralee Festival on RTÉ One on Monday night, saying she doesn't see her experience "as a really bad thing in my life".
The 29-year-old from Ros an Mhíl, a Gaeltacht village in Conamara in the west of Ireland, explained how things "took a dip" when her late father became ill.
"The Leaving Cert year was a complex year," she said. "Unfortunately, dad was diagnosed with cancer at the start of that year – me and my dad were very close – and I suppose the whole year was just trying to process that.
"He passed away in December. My brain just put it into a little chest and tried to ignore it and not deal with it, but you can't do that, it will always come out in the end.
"In my second year of college, I did have a dip in my mental health, and I do think it was just a delayed response," she said.
Ms Jennings said she knew she "couldn't do it by myself anymore" shortly after she turned sixteen and said she "wouldn't be who I am today" without going on her difficult journey.
"When you're in a good place, that’s the best time to work on yourself."
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 19, 2024
Galway Rose, Deirdre Jennings, shines a light on mental health during the #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/2sJB1Vsrl4
Recalling the tough time, she said: "I made the step to ask for help. I remember asking my mother in her room and she brought me to the GP.
"It’s been a long journey, a lot of trial and error with medications and counselling and things, but I wouldn’t be who I am today without it.
"I don’t see it as a really bad thing in my life. I think it has made me so strong. I feel like I’ve mastered it somehow. I have a really happy life and I’m so blessed with everything that I have.
"I am happy most of the time – ninety per cent of the time – and that’s after years and years of getting there. When you’re in a good place, that’s the best time to work on yourself."
Ms Jennings also gave advice to viewers who may be struggling with their own mental health, saying: "Asking for help is a brave thing to do, but it’s an important thing to do. Secondly, out of all the things I’ve gotten help with, it was the kindness of people that was really important."
In bloom: The Rose of Tralee Festival returns
The 64th Rose of Tralee Festival got off to a bloomin' good start on Monday night with positive vibes and magical musical moments galore.
Presenters Kathryn Thomas and Dáithí Ó Sé showed that they were good sports from the get-go partaking in the opening dance routine to Beyoncé's iconic anthem Run the World (Girls), alongside the 32 International Roses.
Introducing the show, Thomas, who is co-hosting the event for a second year, said: "It is so good to be back! We're here once again to celebrate the 64th International Rose of Tralee Festival.
"A big Kerry welcome to all of you watching us live on RTÉ One and also everyone watching us all over the world in every corner of the globe on the RTÉ Player."
Veteran Rose of Tralee host, Ó Sé, added: "We have 18 Roses for you to meet tonight and we will meet the final 14 tomorrow night."
The fate of the next Rose of Tralee lies in the hands of the four distinguished judges - fashion designer Don O'Neill, 1998 Rose of Tralee Luzveminda O'Sullivan, broadcaster Ollie Turner and RTÉ Weather and Lotto presenter Nuala Carey.
Across the night, viewers were introduced to Roses from - Dubai, Waterford, North Carolina, Cork, Perth, San Francisco, Melbourne, Wicklow, Monaghan, Ohio, Louth, Leitrim, Kerry, Galway, Newfoundland and Labrador, Kilkenny, Sydney and New Zealand.
Craic agus ceol
During the over three-hour live show, Roses hit the right notes on stage with a string of musical delights entertaining viewers, from a rousing rendition of May The Road Rise Up To Meet You on the harp, a stunning fiddle performance of Crested Hens, an angelic outing of traditional Irish song Mo Ghile Mear, an energetic bagpipe routine to I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by the Proclaimers, a stunning take of Red is the Rose, and a heartfelt version of An Cailín Álainn.
Other Roses played their cards right with a slick magic trick, a bouncy jig to rock hit Hang on Sloopy, a competitive row-off, some pom-tastic cheerleading, and a sign-language performance to an Ed Sheeran track.
The 33rd Rose
A special performance from acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter, Lyra, brought the tent down at the Kerry Sports Academy in the MTU. Singing We Are Beautiful, the Cork musician's poetic track echoed the theme of the 32 strong, independent and intelligent Irish women taking part in this year's festival.
Several viewers took to social media rooting for Lyra to be Ireland's Eurovision entrant for 2025.
LYRA seriously needs to go to #Eurovision! Insane talent! #RoseofTralee
— Liam Holton (@LiamHoltonDrums) August 19, 2024
The Rose of Tralee International Festival began in 1959, with 62 winning roses announced over the years – the rose selection was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 2024 Rose of Tralee International Festival continues on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player on Tuesday 20 August from 8pm, with features, archive footage, behind-the-scenes content and more available across the RTÉ website and social media platforms.
Find out everything you need to know about the 32 Roses here
If you have been affected by issues raised in this story, please visit: www.rte.ie/helplines
