By Cianna McNally

The 2009 Monaghan Rose Nicola Hackett has described her year in the role as “fantastic.”

Speaking to monaghanlife.ie as her year came to an end, the 21-year-old Glaslough girl said that one of the many highlights of her year was getting the opportunity to take part in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in New York. “Getting the opportunity to take part in such a huge event was amazing. It was an honour to represent Co Monaghan.”

Nicola has also fond memories of the regional finals of the Rose of Tralee which were held in Portlaoise. “It was like a mini version of the actual Rose of Tralee event itself. Being interviewed by Ray D’arcy was brilliant, he was great craic.” The 2009 Rose also enjoyed being part of the annual Castleblayney May Day Parade and Monaghan town’s Feile Oriel.

The Rose of Tralee experience also helped Nicola decide that she wanted to study Events and Marketing Management in college this September. Although it was an area she had always been interested in, her decision was made when she helped organise accommodation and an itinery for the Irish regional Roses who went to Tralee to show their support at last year’s competition. While she was sorry to hand over her crown, Nicola’s advice to the 2010 Monaghan Rose is to make the most of her year in the role. “Embrace it all, it’s a brilliant experience and provides so many opportunities.”