The hunt for the 2015 Westmeath Rose began last weekend, with the 2015 Rose of Tralee, Maria Walsh visiting Mullingar as part of a 15 day tour of Ireland.
Now in its 56th year, the Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland’s largest and longest-running festivals. The heart of the festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee, which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to County Kerry for a global celebration of Irish culture. The festival also includes street entertainment, carnival, live concerts, theatre, circus, markets, funfair, fireworks and our internationally renowned Rose Parade.
Ms. Walsh, who represented her home city of Philadelphia in 2014, gave advice to any ladies hoping to represent Westmeath in this year’s competition. “Life is far too short and opportunities like this are far too great too miss, “ said Ms. Walsh, who spoke of the connection participants make with Ireland once the competition finishes. “Every Rose stays involved after the competition finishes. I would encourage any ladies considering entering to seize the opportunity.”
“It teaches you a lot, not only about yourself but about being proud of your Irish roots.”
With the Westmeath selection to take place on Saturday, 21 March in the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar, anyone interested is asked to contact the Westmeath Rose Centre by Email at westmeathroseoftralee@gmail.com or by calling Niall on 087-394-2449.
