MARIA Walsh has travelled over 65,000 miles since becoming the Rose of Tralee, and she will travel hundreds more over the coming fortnight in a bid to find the 2015 Rose of Tralee.

Maria celebrated Women’s Christmas at The Loop in Cork Airport with RTÉ Host Dáithí Ó Sé where they announced details of her upcoming tour of Ireland which will see her visit schools, charities and iconic landmarks.

On Monday, January 12, travelling in her Kia Soul car, Maria will set off from the home of the Festival’s lead sponsor, Newbridge Silverware to visit 32 counties in 15 days to encourage young women to take part in the event.

Since being crowned as the 2014 Rose of Tralee, Maria Walsh has travelled to Kolkata, India with the Hope Foundation, South Africa with Niall Melon Trust, walked the many stalls at the Ploughing Championship, stood on the green field of Croke Park wearing the Mayo colours and has spoken to many young people.

She will travel to Belarus with Chernobyl Children’s International in February, New York and Washington DC in March and down under to Australia in May.

An estimated 1,000 women aged between 18 and 27 will follow through on their Rose of Tralee applications and take part in selection events across Ireland and in 11 countries around the world this year.

The 2015 Rose of Tralee will win the a treasure trove of Newbridge Jewellery and Homeware from the lead sponsors, Newbridge Silverware, a World Travel Prize valued at €25,000 from The Loop at Dublin and Cork Airports and she’ll drive a Kia Soul car for the year of her reign, courtesy of Kia Motors Ireland and McElligotts Kia, Tralee.

The 2015 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from Friday 14th to Tuesday 18th August.

Full details on how to enter the Rose of Tralee in 2015 are available from www.RoseofTralee.ie, Facebook and Twitter or contact +353-66-7121322.