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11 Dec 2025
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11 Dec 2025
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Laois Rose entrants enjoying a day out at Fossey Ranch in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey
This Easter will be a cracking one for all involved with the 2023 Laois Rose Selection final.
This Easter Sunday evening, April 9, all of the Laois Roses and their proud supporters, will gather at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise for a night full of entertainment, glamour and above all great fun, as they find out who will represent Laois at the Dome in Tralee.
The warmest welcome on the night is for the current Laois Rose, Sarah Bergin.
Below: Laois Rose Sarah Bergin with the Rose of Tralee Rachel Duffy in the Midlands Park Hotel. Photo: Denis Byrne
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Clonad nurse Sarah’s strength of character, determination to excel in all her commitments as Laois Rose and her warmth and generosity of spirit stand as a shining example for the next Laois Rose to follow.
The applicants have been meeting for the past number of weeks and attended lots of events.
A super team bonding afternoon visit to Fossy Mountains Springs Ranch, kindly hosted by Michael and Esther LaCumber, saw the girls participated in archery and horseriding followed by afternoon tea and goodies.
In the evening they attended Lilly’s for some cocktails and nibbles kindly sponsored by Kieran Lillis and his team.
The final get together was at Coppers where the girls were again treated to cocktails and food kindly sponsored by Dave Power.
On Easter Sunday night, each Rose will appear on stage in the Midlands Park Hotel for an interview and a party piece of their choice if they so wish.
All applicants will be interviewed by a judging panel prior to Rose Selection night.
The MC on the night will be with DJ Ollie Turner from Galway FM, who has a long affiliation with the Rose of Tralee. Ollie is very experienced in interviewing the Roses, putting them at ease and having the craic.
There will be prizes for ‘Best dressed Lady’, Best Dressed Man and ‘Best Banner’, as well as a raffle, and lots of nice prizes to be won.
Steve Cronly of the International Rose of Tralee Festival is the Laois Rose Co-ordinator.
“The Laois Rose selection of 2023 will be a life changing experience for one lucky rose,” he said.
The girl who is chosen will walk away with the coveted Laois sash and will represent Laois in the Dome in Tralee. She will also be pampered by Sponsors The Style Bar for public appearances right through her reign as Laois Rose.
The road to the dome is an incredible journey where she will join other Roses in visiting some of Ireland’s most famous and symbolic, historic sporting and tourism landmarks in Wexford, Kildare and Meath, Offaly, Longford and Limerick.
The Roses will be pampered in the wonderful Barberstown Castle in Straffan for two nights in advance of the press photo call in RTE followed by their departure to the Kingdom of Kerry for eight days.
Roses from all over the world will descend on Tralee and experience the full extent of the magic that the Rose of Tralee Festival is all about.
This unique celebration, to be held over ten days in Tralee, will offer the 32 Roses a wonderful experience together with a festival of fun for their families and friends.
Steve Cronly will expertly assist and support the girls through their rehearsals, individual judging, group judging followed by stage Interviews and entertainment.
“The festival is about celebrating each and every one of our Rose applicants.
“They are the link to all Irish communities at home and abroad and our dearest wish is that our Roses and their families and friends treasure the experience.
“We would like to extend their appreciation to all of the local sponsors and of course their Main Sponsor, The Style Bar and host sponsor Midlands Park Hotel. Of Course, none of this would be possible without the ongoing support of our media partner The Leinster Express,” Steve said.
The excitement is building for the Roses and their supporters, with amazing posters already being created and families and friends being rallied to come along and show their support. Tickets are flying out but there will be some on the night for early birds.
“We would invite any of you out there attending the Laois Rose to come along early as tickets are almost sold out and the night in question promises to be one to remember,” Steve said.
Tickets are €25 and will be available on the evening of Sunday April 9. Doors open at 7pm. The show starts at 7.30pm sharp.
Read the profiles of all 17 Laois Rose entrants on our website.
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