RTE Rose of Tralee viewers have all been left "drowning in tears" after the Westmeath Rose dedicated her performance to her late brother. The hit show returned tonight with co-hosts Kathryn Thomas and Daithi O Se taking to the stage to welcome each Rose to the competition. 32 Roses have taken to the Dome in Tralee in a bid to be crowned, The Rose of Tralee this week.
The first 18 Roses put their best foot forward last night, with women from places as far as North Carolina and Ohio showing off their talents. Tonight, the remaining 14 Roses are taking to the stage to win over the hearts of the nation. But Westmeath Rose, Grace O'Connor didn't leave a "dry eye in the house" after she told the tragic story about her younger brother's sudden passing just two days before Christmas.
Grace gave a beautiful analogy for her sibling's tragic death as she said: "I like to say he took the shortcut home. We're all going there eventually but he just got there quicker." The Killucan native told how her brother was her "rock" and "would do anything to help people".
She said: "We got through everything together. It was him that pushed me to do this so I'm here for him now." The Irish beauty wrote a gorgeous poem for Ryan which she shared on the stage.
The poem read: "Dear brother, my whole life is up rooted and changed and yet people expect me to be the same. "But how do I go on like nothing has happened continue to look at life with joy and passion? People come and people go that's true I know. But some people you want to hold tight.
"Some people you want with you through every fight to help you feel that all is right. "You always pushed me to be the best that I can be and for that I owe you an eternity. An eternity of gratitude, love and appreciaton you showed me life was such a beautiful creation.
I'll forever hold you in my heart, I know that we are not apart. "I know that you are with me every step of the way I can hear you in my mind saying, 'Go on Gracie, this is your day!'" And RTE viewers were left in tears as they took to Twitter to share their reaction. Sam wrote: "Bawling.
Such a beautiful poem by the Westmeath Rose." Hazel said: "Oh no, I'm actually going to drown in my own tears." John added: "Tears of joy between my wife and I while sitting on our couch for the Westmeath rose Grace.
" And Sinead cried: "Not a dry eye in the house. So devastating..
. Westmeath Rose is my winner.".
