Search is now on for Mayo Rose of Tralee

THE iconic Rose of Tralee International Festival emerged from a two-year break last year with a real flourish, as it formally announced inspiring plans for an exciting new era and officially launched “The Search for the 2023 Mayo Rose of Tralee”.

Anthony O`Gara, the executive chair of the festival, revealed an exciting plan for the festival to become more accessible at community level with a vision to support voluntary fundraising efforts.

"The Rose of Tralee International Festival is strongly associated with great Irish women, Irish people, and local communities globally. I am delighted to announce that this legacy will continue, as we reveal our inspiring plans.

"Celebrating our Irish Culture, and the positive contribution that Irish people make at home and abroad is a real privilege and we are most grateful for the incredible support we have received over the last eight decades.

"As we look to the future, it is our goal to support the fundraising efforts of local Irish communities and to continue to showcase the incredible contribution of great Irish women globally”.

Additionally, the relaxed entry requirements were reinforced, making it easier to become a Rose of Tralee, whilst supporting the all-inclusive and diverse nature of the festival.

Jamie Hunt, Mayo Rose co-ordinator commented: “We at the Mayo Rose Centre are inviting all interested girls between 18 and 29 years old to reach out and put themselves forward to enter this year’s Mayo Rose selection.

"The festival is rolling out a programme to engage with communities across Mayo over the next three years, to build a structure of multiple local events in communities across the county.

"Our focus will be to collaborate with those communities to hold Rose Selections, and through that process to support community fundraising in each of those areas.

"As a new initiative we are inviting GAA, Camogie Clubs, Societies, and local communities to partner with the Mayo Rose Centre and participate in local events and in return the Mayo Rose Centre will make a generous contribution to the local community or organisations involved”.

The current Mayo Rose, Nicole Loughlin, said: “In April 2019, I was bestowed the title of the 2019 Mayo Rose. Little did I know, it would make such a big impact on my life.

First of all, I didn’t foresee a pandemic and my year as a Rose turning into four years. Now four years on, getting ready to hand over the sash to the 2023 Mayo Rose, I can confidently say that taking part in the Rose of Tralee festival was truly a life changing experience which I will cherish forever.

" I am so grateful for the lifelong friends and memories I have made on this journey. I count myself so lucky to have made the connections I did through the Rose of Tralee festival. Some connections that I know will be part of my life forever. The magnitude of the festival and its ability to connect the Irish diaspora worldwide still amazes me.

"With every local event, national celebration and international trip, my love for my county grew. Representing my county at a global festival illuminated the pride I feel being Irish, being from Mayo and especially being from our south Mayo village of Shrule. What is the end of era for me, will be the start for somebody else.

"I’m excited to watch the next Mayo Rose represent the county and be right behind her, just as Rachel Gibbons, the 2018 Mayo Rose was for me.”

The Mayo Rose Selection will take place this year on Saturday, May 13, at luxurious McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris . The hotel is also onboard as the hospitality sponsor and the Mayo Rose Centre have expressed the gratitude to general manager, Lucas Kodl, and his staff for their support.

The 2023 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from August 18 to August 22. The festival team are presently planning a host of amazing events that traditionally take place in Tralee town during this period, inclusive of lights, parades, family entertainment, street performance and much more.

For further details please contact Jamie on (087) 6639875 or visit the Mayo Rose Centre on any of their social media platforms.

Applications to enter the 2023 Rose of Tralee are now officially open. Visit. www.roseoftralee.ie for details.