THE Rose of Tralee, Dr Jennifer Byrne was joined by RTÉ’s Rose of Tralee Presenter, Dáithí Ó Sé in Galway today to launch the search for her successor who will be crowned in the Festival Dome on Tuesday, August 21.
Dr Jennifer Byrne, the first ever Offaly Rose to take the title, said: “All I can say to any young woman is to ‘go for it and apply!’ The Rose of Tralee international Festival has truly been the most incredible experience of my life and I hope to encourage as many young women as possible to take part and become their local Rose.
“I guarantee them they will make incredible friends and have an amazing experience. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my year as the Rose of Tralee so far and am really excited for what’s to come. Many people think that the Rose of Tralee festival is just one week long and they don’t realise that the Roses and Rose Escorts have so many incredible experiences throughout the whole year. I’ve so many more exciting times ahead and I’m really looking forward to meeting the 2018 Roses who will be selected in the coming months,” said Jennifer.
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Jennifer was one of the 502 people who took part in qualifying selections in Ireland last year, while another 500 women entered selections in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Britain, Europe and Middle East in 2017.
RTÉ Rose of Tralee Presenter Dáithí Ó Sé, who will return in August to host his 9th selection, said: “I love being involved in the Rose of Tralee. I love meeting the Roses, their families, the Rose Escorts and people who want to be part of something that’s 100% Irish. The Rose of Tralee is a major focal point in Irish communities all over the world that draws people together. In fact, it is the single biggest thread that ties the whole Irish Diaspora together. I would encourage young Irish women everywhere to apply now to take part in one of the biggest festivals in the world.”
As the Lead Sponsor of the Rose of International Festival, Tipperary Crystal will present, the 2018 Rose of Tralee with a complete collection of Tipperary Crystal Fine Jewellery, a range of high quality products from their Giftware and Homeware Collections. She’ll wear the splendid tiara featuring the Rose motif as the central framework, adorned in glistening crystals and the exquisitely crafted Crystal Perpetual Trophy.
The next Rose of Tralee will drive away from Tralee in a brand new KIA from McElligotts Tralee, a World Travel Prize valued at €25,000 and a weeklong holiday in Kerry from Kerry County Council.
Every return visit to Tralee during the 2018 Rose of Tralee’s reign will be spent in comfort at the magnificent 4-star Rose Hotel, the home to the Rose of Tralee International Festival.
The 2018 Rose of Tralee International Festival will run from Friday 17th to Tuesday 21st August. To find details of a Rose Selection near you and to apply online, visit www.roseoftralee.ie