| Nationwide search begins for Rose
Of Tralee contenders  By
Elaine Sheridan`
IT IS that time of year again the search for the International Rose Of
Tralee.
The competition is already under way and entries are currently being invited
from applicants in various centres up and down the country.
Now in its 48th year the competition remains a national institution.
Broadcast on RTÉ television over two nights it is an attempt to
find the Rose that best captures the essence of the famous song.
The winner is chosen for her looks, inner beauty and that elusive quality
that expresses her natural charm, pride, independence and genuine nature.
So if you are of Irish descent and think you have got what it takes to
be a Rose Of Tralee then the organising committees are looking to hear
from you.
LEICESTER
THE Leicester Rose Selection will take place on Saturday May 26 at St.
Patrick’s Parish Centre, Beaumont Leys Lane in Leicester with entertainment
provided by Micky Fleming.
The Leicester Centre has been running Rose selections since 1980. They
are looking for girls between 18-27, single and with an Irish connection
who would like to become Leicester’s 27th Rose.
Rosaleen Duddy from the committee said: “It’s a fantastic
opportunity for any young girl.
“We are looking forward to the new challenge that Tralee has set
by bringing Britain into line with Ireland and raising the profile of
the Festival both home and abroad.
“It’s also great to see Britain being represented in Tralee
by four girls who will be wearing the sash from their own Centre.”
n For entry forms contact Rosaleen Duddy on 07720 499 314 or rosaleenduddy
@btinternet.com
Applications must be in by May 10. Admission on the day £10.
LIVERPOOL
ST. Michael’s Centre in Liverpool is looking for young ladies to
take part in this year’s Rose Of Tralee selection which is taking
place on Sunday, May 27.
Similarly with the other centres contestants must be aged 18–27,
be of Irish descent and have no children.
The selection event will include a live cabaret and dance being held in
the evening.
Maureen Morrison from St. Michael’s Centre said: “It’s
very exciting for us. It’s the first time the Irish Centre has staged
this event and we’re really looking forward to it. I can guarantee
a great night’s entertainment.
“I’m expecting to have at least 10 girls taking part so the
competition will be fierce.
“There’s plenty young girls out there who have dreamt of being
a Rose so I urge them to come forward and enter.”
n Anyone wishing to enter should contact Maureen at St. Michaels Irish
Centre on 0151 263 1808 or e-mail mmorrison@stmichaels irishcentre.org
SANDWELL
THIS SUMMER marks the third year that the Sandwell Irish Society has
organised a Rose Of Tralee selection.
Organiser Siobhan Gorman said: “For nearly 50 years the Rose Of
Tralee has been an important part of our culture and heritage, something
that we need to keep alive for future generations.
“We are looking for a young lady who is proud of her Irish roots,
someone with character, poise, personality and charisma who will be a
good role model, someone who will represent the best of Irishness and
young women, an ambassador for our community and for Sandwell.”
The event will take place at the Birchley Social Club, Brunel Road, on
Newbury Lane, Oldbury on Friday, May 11 from 8.00 to 11.30pm.
Music will be provided by The Hurling Boys.
n So if you think you’ve got what it takes to be a Rose contact
Siobhan Gorman at Sandwell Irish Society, 367 High Street, West Bromwich,
B70 9QL, telephone 0121 525 0567 or e-mail: sandwellirishsociety @btopenworld.com
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
THE search is also on once more for the 2007 Newcastle Upon Tyne Rose
Of Tralee.
The Newcastle Rose selection will take place in Jury’s Doyle Hotel
on April 21. After a drinks reception and buffet the final will then move
to the Tyneside Irish Centre.
The chairperson of the Rose Centre Sheena Greeves has successfully sent
two girls from Newcastle to the International Rose Of Tralee final.
She believes the Rose Of Tralee offers the experience of a lifetime and
urges those meeting the requirements to step forward.
She said: “This is something that young girls all over the world
have dreamed about since they were young. They have all watched the competition
on television as young girls and now the opportunity is there for them
to take part.
“My role is to give them a platform and to nurture and encourage.
I want them to get all the way to Tralee.”
The main sponsor for this year’s selection process is Margaret Mellor
from Tourism Ireland.
She will be one of the judges at the event and will present the piece
of Irish crystal to the winning rose.
n So if you think you have what it takes you can contact Sheena Greeves
on 0191 423 3292 or 07897 981 1060.
DERBY
THE search has begun in earnest for the 2007 Derby Rose Of Tralee.
The Derby Rose selection will take place on Friday, April 27 at the Heritage
Hotel on Macklin Street.
Mary Murphy who has been organising the event since 1983 believes the
Rose Of Tralee offers the experience of a lifetime and urges those meeting
the requirements to step forward.
She said: “To be a Rose you have to be charming, inspiring, elegant
and have an Irish twinkle.
“It’s not a run-of-the-mill beauty contest and whilst the
Festival does have very traditional roots the girls must be thoroughly
modern.
“The overall winner will be an ambassador for her own town, her
own country and for Ireland. They need to be very confident and capable.”
Last year’s Midlands Rose Holly McGuire came from Derby and she
proved an immensely popular choice.
n If you think you can follow in her footsteps then contact Mary Murphy
on 01332 763 783 or 07814 363 2722.
MILTON KEYNES
THE Milton Keynes Rose Of Tralee selection is taking place on Bank Holiday
weekend Sunday, May 27.
Last year’s selection ball brought huge interest when Calum Best
was one of the judges. This year organisers are expecting another big
name who they will announce in coming weeks.
Organiser Michael O’Hanlon said: “Last year we had a great
night. Calum was great judge but we’ve got another celebrity up
our sleeves.”
n For London event details see next week’s Irish Post.
|
