FOR the second year in succession, the London contestant in the Rose of Tralee competition hails from Athy.
Following the phenomenal success of Charmaine Kenny, who last year went from winning the London contest to take the overall title in Tralee, the London adjudicators have yet again picked a Rose from the South Kildare town.
Clare Kambamettu (25) is the daughter of Dr Ravi Kambamettu, who practises locally, while her mum, Breda (nee Behan) is from Ballyroe.
Educated at Scoil Mhuire, Athy and University College Galway, Clare went on to do a Master’s Degree in Psychology at King’s College, London. Now working for the NHS, she plans to embark on further studies, having applied for a Phd in Clinical Psychology.
According to her mum, Breda, Clare decided to enter the competition when she saw an advertisement on her way home from work one evening.
“She had been attending a lot of very serious interviews and just decided that this would be a bit of fun,” said Breda, adding that her daughter was selected as London Rose at Moran’s Hotel in North London last Saturday night.
“Actually it was 2.30am on Sunday morning when the final result was announced – it was tremendous excitement all round,” Clare’s delighted mum told The Kildare Nationalist.
After the winner was announced, last year’s London Rose and Rose of Tralee Charmaine Kenny handed the crown over to Clare. One thing is certain Saturday night in London was certainly an Athy affair!