"Athlone won't recognise me" says Rose after RTE makeover!
Athlone woman Rose Reid was the star of the show on RTE's Today programme this afternoon (Friday), where she received a complete makeover in front of the TV cameras.
The Cornamagh resident, who is in her 82nd year, is a mother of twelve and a grandmother of 23 children. She lives a very active life, having run in several triathlons and in an Iron Girl competition in Barcelona in 2016.
She is also a regular user of the facilities at the Athlone Regional Sports Centre, where she is currently learning to swim.
One of Rose's daughters, Lorraine, nominated her for a makeover from the 'Glam Squad' on the RTE show, and she kept the stylists entertained as they worked on her hair, make-up and clothes.
When "the big reveal" came at the end of the show, Rose was thrilled with her new look. "Athlone won't recognise me!" she said.
Rose's son, Wayne, who is deaf and uses Irish Sign Language (ISL), was also brought on at the end of the show and was greatly impressed with his mother's new look.
Rose expressed her gratitude to the "amazing" team for a memorable experience.
"Do you know something? I might audition for the Rose of Tralee!" she said, to the competition's host, Dáithí Ó Sé.
"No problem, you're in!" replied Dáithí. "You have the makeover now. It will be two in a row for Westmeath on the Rose of Tralee!"
Rose's appearance on the show ended with a final surprise - a voucher for an overnight stay at the Wineport Lodge in Glasson.
A clip of the makeover 'reveal' on the Today show can be viewed here: