Pet sitter and golf coach among 2023 Laois Rose entrants

Entries are flying in for the chance to be the next Laois Rose from all parts of the county, ranging from students and teachers to a pet sitter and a golf pro.

The event has returned to Laois for the first time since 2019, and interest is high as young Laois woman snap up the opportunity to be part of one of Ireland's biggest social events.

Whoever is chosen ast the 2023 Laois Rose is guaranteed full participation in the International Rose of Tralee Festival in Kerry next August.

That includes the Rose Ball, Rose Parade through the streets of Tralee and the live televised, in the final in the Rose Dome in Tralee.

The Laois Rose Selection night will take place when most people in the county will be resting after a feast of chocolate, on Easter Sunday night April 9 in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.

There the 2019 Laois Rose, nurse Sarah Bergin from Clonad, record holder for being the longest reigning Laois Rose, will present her successor with the Laois Rose sash.

Last week the Leinster Express revealed the very first confirmed entrant as Amy McNamara, 25, a beautician from Portlaoise.

Now 11 more entrants have joined Amy, all ready to proudly represent their community and enjoy a whirlwind of glamorous and fun events in Laois right up until the selection night.

Stephanie Quinlivan, 27, comes from Raheen and is a professional pet sitter.
Mary Doyle, 26 from The Heath is a PGA golf coach.
Stradbally woman Annabel Laffan, 27, is a mature student.
From Portlaoise, Cara Phelan, 18, is also a student.
Representing Cullohill is teacher Sinead Dowd, 25.
Mountmellick woman Anna Ward, 27, is also a teacher in her town.
Ballyroan will be represented by Sinead McEvoy, 20 another student.
Anna Mae Muldowney, 27 is a designer and is from Stradbally.
Abbeyleix is represented by student Leah Moffit, 18.
Carys Davies, 18, from Errill is a community volunteer.
Ciara Delaney, 23, is a student from Coolraine.

Each entrant will be sponsored by a local business, with a big welcome this year for representatives to come from sports clubs and community groups.

Entries remain open for a few weeks more but the interest is high and numbers are limited.

Steve Cronly is Laois Rose Coordinator.

“So far the uptake has been very successful.

“We have had many requests for information regarding the Laois Rose and to date we have up to 12/14 entrants. We are delighted with this response and looking forward to another successful Laois Rose event following a four year break.

“We are still open for applications and will accept up until the end of March.

“We would welcome any interested Roses and Businesses out there that might want to get involved with this iconic Laois event,” Steve said.

The Leinster Express will feature a photo spread showing all the entrants ahead of the Selection Night this Easter.

First Laois Rose entrant ready to hit the right note

Laois Rose 2023 is sponsored by The Style Bar, who will ensure the Rose will be perfectly styled for her social events all year long.

For details contact Laois Rose Centre on all social media platforms or Steve on 086 2505791