Rose of Tralee visits Laois to kick off Laois Rose 2023 search

The reigning Rose of Tralee Rachel Duffy came to Laois this week, to launch the county’s 2023 Laois Rose.

Teaching student Rachel from Westmeath joined the 2019 Laois Rose Sarah Bergin to officially kick off the glamorous community event at the Midlands Park Hotel, where the final will take place on Easter Sunday.

They later visited the boys and girls in Holy Family Senior School, fielding all sorts of interesting questions from the pupils about the Rose of Tralee, then going on to visit the official Laois Rose styling sponsor The Style Bar. More photos to come.

It is four years since the last Laois Rose, thanks to Covid and a fairer selection process.  Now one half of the 66 centres in Ireland and worldwide, sends a Rose every alternate year, to ensure that all 33 Roses get their moment to bloom on the televised final in the Tralee Dome with Daithí O Sé.

For Sarah from Clonad, Portlaoise, a student nurse back in 2019, it is strange to still be Laois Rose four years on.

“Looking back, I have such fond memories. After four years it is strange but exciting to be back wearing the sash again for the next few months. I’m ready to support the next Laois Rose in her journey to Tralee.

“To anyone thinking of applying, I’d say go for it. The whole event is about bringing communities together. The highs are unbelievable. it was a once in a lifetime experience. I have lifetime friends in Roses and escorts now across the world,” she said.

For 2022 Rose of Tralee Rachel Duffy, it has been a whirlwind year. 

“Just becoming the Westmeath Rose, I was so proud of making that commitment to try it and it was all I could ask for. I never considered I could be selected out of the 33 to become the Rose of Tralee. It was amazing to see the joy on my family’s faces.”

“I would say to anyone, do it, it’s a very unique experience you’ll have for the rest of your life,” the Rose of Tralee said.

The call is going out now to Laois young women aged from 18 to 29 to step forward for the experience of their lives, to represent their community, their sponsor, Laois and maybe even the Rose of Tralee festival, and to forge lifetime friendships across the world.

Below: Lyn Moloney, Rose of Tralee Coordinator, Sandra Brennan, Conference & Sales Manager, Laois Rose Sarah Bergin, Rose of Tralee Rachel Duffy, Vanessa Langford, Marketing Manager Midlands Park Hotel and Steve Cronly Director of Operations, Rose of Tralee International Festival. Photo Denis Byrne

Lyn Moloney is the Laois Rose Selection coordinator.

“We’re back after four years and we are expecting the interest in Laois to be very high, with the guarantee now that the newly chosen Laois Rose will be live on stage in Tralee.

“We are encouraging girls to get their applications in as soon as possible, so they can be part of some fun events leading up to the county final on Easter Sunday night.

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“Reach out to us and we will take you through the process. We would especially love to see girls representing clubs and community groups. It’s time to un-Laois your inner Rose, make new friends and who knows you could be the next Laois Rose,” she said.

Sandra Brennan is Conference and Events Manager at the Midlands Park Hotel, the hospitality sponsor of the 2023 Laois Rose.

“We are so delighted to welcome back the Laois Rose Selection night after four years. It is a world event and we are proud to be part of that, putting Laois on the map. We wish all the young women the best of luck and we look forward to seeing the new Laois Rose on the stage in Tralee,” Ms Brennan said.

IN PICTURES: Great Operation Transformation turnout for Ad Break stop at Laois GAA club

To enter the Laois Rose, you must identify as female, be aged 18 to 29 and be an Irish citizen or of Irish origin. Being married or a parent is no longer a barrier in the new modernised criteria. You must never have entered before, and there is a €250 sponsored entry fee.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live as proud media partner will have updates as each Laois Rose entrant is revealed.  Register your interest on www.theroseoftralee.ie or contact Steve Cronly 086 2505791, Lyn Moloney 083 4631611 or DM LaoisRoseofTralee on social media.