'Looking back now I have such fond memories' Laois Rose ready to hand over sash

The longest ever reigning Laois Rose is looking forward to meeting her replacement and handing over the coveted county sash this summer.

It is an incredible four years since student nurse Sarah Bergin from Clonad, Portlaoise was announced as the new Laois Rose back in April 2019 in the Castle Durrow hotel.

She had been supported in the event by parents Helen and John, her old school friends from Heywood Community School and her sponsor and aunt, auctioneer Caroline Bergin.

A whirlwind summer followed, culminating in golfer Sarah putting on stage with Daithí Ó Sé live on television at the Rose of Tralee in the Dome in Kerry, doing Laois proud.

Covid then interrupted the festival, and combined with a changed festival format that now gives every Rose an alternative year to shine on stage in the Dome, it means that Sarah will hold the title for four full years.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live caught up with Sarah at the launch of the 2023 Laois Rose.

“Looking back now, after two full years of Covid, I have such fond memories. It was a once in a lifetime experience. The highlights were unbelievable,” she said.

Below: Laois Rose Sarah Bergin (front left of Daithi) with all the 2019 Roses. Image: Domnick Walsh

The friendships formed were real and long lasting.

“I moved in with the San Francisco Rose Brooklyn and the Wexford escort for a few months after it. I am still friends with Roses and escorts all over the world.

Covid affected one of the highlights of being a Rose, walking in the New York St Patrick’s Day parade with all the other Roses and the Rose of Tralee.

“I literally just graduated that March when Covid hit. I was meant to fly to New York for the St Patrick's Day parade. Between my work and the pandemic, I just couldn’t, it was cancelled. They all went in March 2022 but I couldn’t go with work commitments,” Sarah said.

She has achieved the admirable career goals she spoke about on stage back in 2019. Sarah now works as a palliative care nurse.

“I started in Blackrock Hospice in March 2021. I have almost finished my Post Graduate now in palliative nursing. It is a privilege to be able to look after someone in that point of their life,” she said.

She is still a proud member of The Heath Golf Club, where the Leinster Express met her for a chat and a lesson back in 2019.

“It is a great stress relief, you need to let loose,” she said.

She can finally show her Tipperary boyfriend of two years what it’s like to date a Rose.

“I met Shane during Covid. Introducing him to this world is great fun. When we met he didn’t even own a shirt,” she said.

Sarah is now launching herself into helping find the new Laois Rose, once again wearing her sash and finery for lots of photoshoots and fun events.

Below: Laois Rose Sarah Bergin and the Rose of Tralee, Rachel Duffy launching the 2023 Laois Rose Selection with Vanessa Langford, Marketing Manager and Sandra Brennan, Conference & Sales Manager, Midlands Park Hotel. Photo Denis Byrne

“It is very strange but exciting. I am ready to support the next Laois Rose in her journey to Tralee. It will be great to see someone else in the sash,” Sarah said.

She is calling on young Laois women to take part in the 2023 Laois Rose.

“Go for it. The year I entered, I did it to meet new people around Laois. I never expected to get to Tralee.

Search on to find the first ever South Laois Rose and Escort

The criteria has been modernised further, now including anyone who identifies as a woman. You can be single, a parent or married, but must simply be active in your community and aged 18 to 29, and be an Irish citizen or of Irish descent.

“It has become more inclusive and it means that the Rose of Tralee is still as relevant as ever. You see so many younger girls looking up to you as a role model.

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“The whole event in Tralee is about bringing communities together and empowering women and men,” Sarah Bergin said.

Find out how to enter the Laois Rose 2023 by contacting the Laois Rose Centre on 086 250 5791, reach out to them on social media, or see the entry form on www.roseoftralee.ie