Carlow Rose of Tralee is the only mum in this years’ pageant and we are loving her

Shauna Rae Lindsay made Rose of Tralee history when she was crowned Carlow Rose in May.

The 24-year-old is the only Rose of Tralee contestant this year to have a child. She plans on making a big impact at the competition where she will represent her native county. Shauna said the festival "needs a mother rose". Her daughter Emmy is three-years-old and will be cheering her mama on from the audience on the big night. https://twitter.com/ShaunaCarlow/status/1022601776246259712 Chatting to The Nationalist, Shauna said:

“Going for the Rose of Tralee was something that I always wanted to do because I love the idea of all those wonderful women coming from all over the world." "After I had my little girl Emmy, I thought, why not go against the odds? Proving to people that I can do it actually gave me the drive to do it,”

Up until 2008 the Rose of Tralee did not allow mothers to enter the pageant. Other criteria meant entrants had to be between the ages of 18 and 27. They also couldn't be married. But times have changed and the competition is now open to way more ladies than it used to be. This years pageant will take place from the 17 August to the 21 August. No prizes for guessing who's going to host it...