Deadline looms for Rose selection event in Athlone

Following changes to the structure of the International Rose of Tralee competition, the Westmeath Rose will now grace the stage of the world famous dome in Tralee this August.


All 67 Roses will go straight to Tralee to participate in the International Rose of Tralee festival this time around and the Westmeath Rose will be among them. She will join her fellow Roses on a five-day tour of the country before arriving in Tralee on Wednesday, August 17 where the contestants will be interviewed on stage by RTE’s Daithi O’Se.


Each Rose will also attend the Rose Ball on the Friday night followed by the famous Rose parade on the Saturday night. On Monday and Tuesday, thirty two of the Roses will then be interviewed live on RTE by Daithi O’Se with the winner being announced on the Tuesday night to much fanfare.


This year’s Westmeath Rose Selection takes place in The Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone on May 14 and organisers are delighted with the progress so far. Applications are still being taken with the closing date of Sunday, May 8 and organisers are encouraging ladies to get involved for this once in a lifetime opportunity.


As local contestants prepare for the selection event it was this week confirmed that Athlone Towncentre along with the Radisson Blu Hotel will co-sponsor The Westmeath Rose Selection. This is the second year Athlone Towncentre has been involved and organisers are delighted to have two prestigious brands such as Athlone Towncentre and The Radisson Blu Hotel on board.


On Sunday last, a number of this year’s contestants gathered in Athlone for a cruise on the Shannon on the Viking Tours boat followed by afternoon tea in The Radisson Blu Hotel which gave the Roses an opportunity to get to know each other. However, organisers are keen to point out they are still expecting a number of other applications this week as the deadline of May 8 fast approaches.

Anybody interested in taking part can do so by applying at www.roseoftralee.ie or by contacting the Westmeath Rose centre at westmeathroseoftralee@gmail.com and also on facebook.