Westmeath Rose Aisling Baker

Twenty-one year old Westmeath Rose Aisling Baker will open televised proceedings at the Rose of Tralee Festival tonight. The newly qualified primary school teacher will be the first of 32 Roses to be interviewed on stage by host Daithí Ó Sé. Speaking ahead of the task Aisling admitted she is a little bit nervous, and has some "pre-stage jitters". However Aisling does have helpful experience behind her to calm her nerves, as she was also the first to be interviewed at the regional Rose finals in Portlaoise earlier this summer. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent Aisling said she's going to do her best on stage this evening, and then try to enjoy herself until the 2012 Rose of Tralee is announced on Tuesday night.

Eighteen of the 32 Roses will be interviewed tonight as part of a televised show being shown on RTE 1 from 8pm. Westmeath Rose Aisling is sure to get a big cheer to help her face the crowds first. The Tubberclair woman will be especially cheered on by her parents Noel and Michelle Baker, siblings Sean, Aoife and Eimear, employers and colleagues at Grogan's of Glasson and indeed all of Westmeath. Aisling plans to entertain in The Dome with a party piece. She'll also have lots to talk to Daith about, with interests spanning singing, dancing, music and tag rugby to name but a few.

Aisling will be followed by Darwin Rose Sheila McAndrew tonight, while the night's proceedings will be wrapped up by Kerry Rose Ann-Marie Hayes. The winner of this year's competition will be announced at the end of Tuesday's televised interviews.