When the Dublin Rose performed a ‘hip-hop dance’ at this year’s Rose of Tralee, she brought the event to the attention of the world’s biggest gossip blogs

THE ROSE of Tralee has, until now, evaded international fame beyond the Irish diaspora, but the 2011 competition could change all of that. The unlikely ambassador for global Rose fame is the Dublin Rose, Siobhéal Nic Eochaidh, who offered a jaw-dropping cringe-worthy but fun television moment on Tuesday night.

Eschewing the more traditional Rose of Tralee talent offerings, she opted instead to demonstrate a “hip-hop dance” which was neither particularly hip hop nor dancing but nevertheless she worked the camera and the stage to fun effect with excellently placed enthusiasm.

So far, so fair play.

But in an era where high-profile televisual events are wrapped in a stream of online commentary, Twitter jumped to life at this unusual act of “talent”, sewing the seeds of a viral moment. It was obvious that this was what people would remember from the competition, and word just needed to spread.

Commenting is one thing, reliving is another, so the Dublin Rose dancing gained legs, so to speak, when it was uploaded to YouTube on Tuesday night. The video, which at the time of going to press had been viewed more than 114,000 times, was quickly mentioned on Twitter and posted on people’s Facebook profiles, then received endless comments on YouTube itself and was passed around with lightening speed.

Irish Central, an Irish-American website, picked up on it, as did TheJournal.ie, the Irish news digestion website. Broadsheet.ie, the Irish satirical website brought the video to wider attention posting it under the headline “Did This Dance Ruin The Dublin Rose’s Chances?”. The comments flooded in: “The Dublin Raver was the highlight of this year’s Lovely Girl Competition! Flying the flag for Coolock!” one said, later apologising saying Nic Eochaidh is in fact from Clondalkin. Others were less complimentary: “Straight outta Compton, sorry, Coppers,” said another in a reference to Copper Face Jacks nightclub, not the Garda Band at the event.

Eventually, the video ascended to the summit of viral fame, PerezHilton.com, the biggest gossip blog in the world. “Irish dancing meets hip hop!” the notorious gossip blogger exclaimed. “What the hell is this?? We have no idea, but it’s totally making our day!” he continued. “Instead of the typical Irish dancing we’re used to seeing, ‘The Dublin Rose’ busted out a mean hip-hop routine at The Rose of Tralee. Or at least we think it’s supposed to be hip hop. Whatever it is, it makes us happy! Ch-ch-check out the HIGHlarity above!”

Newspaper coverage and radio interviews have followed, so although she may not have won the Rose of Tralee, Nic Eochaidh has achieved a curious fame that stretches far beyond Kerry. Roll on next year’s dancing entrants.

See Siobhéal Nic Eochaidh’s dance by searching for “Dublin Rose Hip Hop Dance” on YouTube.com