Niamh Shevlin (27) from Glenswilly in County Donegal is preparing to make the trip to Kerry for the Rose of Tralee International Festival 2024.
Niamh has been a professional dancer for six years and has travelled to over 50 countries on six different continents.
Niamh and her twin brother Gavin started Irish dancing at age 4, performing globally as ‘The Shevlin Twins.’
In 2018, she joined Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance,’ and performed the female lead role of ‘Saoirse’ for five years.
A smiling Niamh Shevlin before being crowned the Donegal Rose of Tralee.
She is now part of the Riverdance flying squad meaning she can continue her studies and travel with the show when something comes up.
“I joined Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance on their China tour in 2018 and continued to travel around the world with the show as the female lead for 5 years.
“I unfortunately had to leave the show a couple of years ago to finish my studies.
“That said, I manage to fit in a few tours when I can find the time.
“I spent a few weeks touring America in December with ‘A Taste of Ireland’ and I am part of the Riverdance flying squad so I’ve had a few opportunities to get dancing with them.
“We performed in the Three Arena in Dublin in September.
“This was a goal of mine for so long and to get the opportunity to dance alongside my twin brother, Gavin, made the whole experience so special.
“I also performed on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ a couple of weeks ago along with the cast of Riverdance,” said Niamh.
Niamh was selected as the Donegal Rose on Sunday night.
Niamh has recently qualified as a teacher having completed her final placement in Glenswilly National School and is studying her masters in primary school teaching with Hibernia College.
Her teaching has also expanded to Africa.
After traveling to Uganda in March 2023 with Irish Aid, she began teaching weekly online lessons, aiming to ignite a passion for Irish dance in children from the world’s poorest regions.
While she has fulfilled a lot of her dreams on stage, she said competing in the Rose of Tralee has been a dream of hers since she was a young age.
A gentle push from her cousin gave her the courage she needed to enter the competition.
“I have always wanted to take part in the Rose of Tralee.
“I’ve watched it every year here at home and it was always a dream of mine to some day be the Donegal Rose.
“It was only when my cousin Shannon and I were chatting about it and she gave me the wee push I needed to finally send in the application.
“My aunt passed away just after Christmas and it made me realise how short life really is.
“Tomorrow is definitely not promised.
“I know she’d be so proud to see that I’ve become the Donegal Rose and I want to dedicate this whole experience to her,” said Niamh.
Donegal Rose Niamh Shevlin dancing at the selection night.
Niamh was chosen to represent the county at the Donegal Rose Selection in the Central Hotel Donegal Town on Sunday night.
Niamh said she was quite nervous leading up to the night but after spending the day with the girls, she was put at ease.
“It was such a fun experience.
“Everyone was so friendly and supportive of each other.
“Noel Cunningham also made me feel very much at ease during the on stage interview.
“I honestly felt like we were having a chat in a coffee shop.
“He was definitely the right man for the job,” said Niamh.
Niamh with her proud parents.
Niamh is looking forward to going to Tralee and meeting all the other Roses.
She already met the Derry Rose and coincidentally, she was in the same class in College as the Sligo Rose.
However, she is most looking forward to representing Donegal.
“There is no denying that anybody from Donegal is extremely proud to claim it and I’m definitely one of those people.
“I know I’m biased but Donegal has the loveliest people and the most beautiful places.
“I am so proud to be an ambassador for the county,” said Niamh.
Looking ahead to the show, Niamh plans to put on her dancing shoes and show off her incredible skills during the competition.
She said she would like to be a role model for young dancers and show the world all the amazing opportunities Irish dancing can provide.
Niamh being selected as the Donegal Rose.
“Dancing has given me so many opportunities in life.
“As well as Donegal, I feel like I’ll be there on behalf of the whole Irish dancing community.
“Irish dancing has got a lot of media coverage recently and not for the best reasons.
“I would like to be a role model for young dancers and show the world all the amazing opportunities Irish dancing can provide you with.
“After spending some time volunteering as an Irish dance teacher in Uganda, I decided to start online lessons with the children in Hands for Hope school, Kampala.
“These children come from the poorest of poor communities and learning Irish dancing in school gives them so much happiness.
“I know they will be so excited to see me perform on the Rose of Tralee,” said Niamh.