Elysha Brennan, a medical student at RCSI, will take to the stage this evening for the Rose of Tralee International competition. ‘Meath Rose' Elysha, who is going into her third year in medicine at the College this September, is from Bettystown in County Meath. This competition is in its 55th year and is one of Ireland's largest and longest running festivals.

Elysha will be interviewed on stage at the Festival Dome by presenter Dáithí Ó Sé along with the other 31 Roses tonight and tomorrow night, Tuesday, 18 August, with only one to be crowned the Rose of Tralee for 2015. The event will be broadcast live on RTÉ One on both evenings from 8pm.

Elysha Brennan has a keen interest in working with children and is involved with the RCSI Paediatric Society, and wants to pursue a career in paediatrics, also counts music and dancing among her passions.

Elysha said, "I have been involved with musical theatre from an early age, and have a passion for all things song and dance and have been lucky enough to have taken part in the Olympia Theatre Christmas pantomimes and a Michael Jackson tribute show. I made a bucket list two years ago and I'm slowly ticking things off and representing Meath in the Rose of Tralee is one of the big things on the list. I am really looking forward to the festival and I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received so far. I hope I do myself, my family, my county and RCSI proud."

The Rose of Tralee International Festival is a multi-faceted event that celebrates the many attributes of modern young Irish women. It runs from Friday 14 to Tuesday, 18 August 2015.