Rose wins Christmas Tree competition as her family marvel at her decoration skills
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A grandmother-of-three was delighted when she found out that her dazzling Christmas tree won The Echo’s annual Christmas Tree Competition this week.
Rose Roche, 73, from Balrothery in Tallaght, always enjoys putting up and decorating her Christmas tree every year and goes all out with it – to the extent that friends and family have remarked that the tree looks like it should be in Arnotts.
Rose and Grandaughter Anneli at her winning Christmas tree
Rose had to take her time decorating the tree earlier this month as a result of knee problems, and while it would usually take her three or four days to complete the decorations, it took her two weeks to do it this year.
“I have a problem with my knee and it means I can’t stand for long,” Rose told The Echo. “So this year I had to do the decorations in stages.”
Spending the princely sum of £300 on a large Christmas tree at Lenehans Hardware on Capel Street several decades ago set in motion Rose’s passion for festive decorations.
While the tree was replaced several years ago, Rose’s festive spirit has never dwindled, and every year her two children and three grandchildren marvel at her decorating skills.
“I love to sit and look at the tree and know that I’ve decorated it,” she explained, “especially this year, as I’m not going anywhere and I’m not seeing anyone because of the pandemic.”
Rose won a €100 voucher from The Echo for her vibrant Christmas tree, and said that she “couldn’t believe it” when she got the phone call confirming that she’d won.
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