Lone Star Rose says she’dlove to live in Londonderry

She made the comments during her appearance at the traditional pageant in Kerry.

The Arizona native’s people may originally hail from Bere Island, off the coast of Cork, and her boyfriend may be from Monaghan, but it was the Maiden City that appealed to her when she paid a flying visit during the Fleadh.

Asked by Rose of Tralee host Dáithí Ó Sé if she’d like to move to Ireland, she said:

“Sure, why not. I’d love to. Yeah, I love Ireland. We actually got to go up to Derry and I fell in love with Derry. I thought it was beautiful and I could definitely see myself living there some day. So, we’ll see.”

Haley was subsequently crowned the Rose of Tralee 2013 by the judges and will now embark on a whirlwind round the world tour as the pageant’s ambassador.

In her biography the 25-year-old explains her Irish roots, stating: “My grandfather was raised on Bere Island off the coast of County Cork, while my grandmother’s parents were from Cork and Longford. My family and I travelled to Bere Island in January of this year and I am so excited to be travelling back to Ireland so soon!” Though raised in Arizona she’s been working in marketing in Dallas for three years.