A NEW Down Rose will be selected at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on Wednesday evening (4 April).
It is a huge honour for a Rose to represent their county and the contestants will pass through the final stages before a final winner is crowned at the Canal Court Hotel. www.roseoftralee.ie
Down News met County Down Rose organiser Gareth McGreevy at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa. He said: “The Rose of Tralee is not a beauty competition. It is about their personality and charm. The Rose contestants spend time together on a number of fun activities and outings and many develop lasting friendships. That is what it is all about. It is one big happy family.
Some of the Down and Armagh Roses on the steps of the Slieve Donard resort and Spa
“ Just a few days ago the Down and Armagh contestants were up in the Mourne Mountains bouldering, and today they are relaxing in the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa and are enjoying a high tea is great surroundings. They are having a superb time and are all looking forward to the final on Wednesday evening.
“I got involved in the Rose of Tralee last year as an escort and this year I am more involved. Although I am working in London as a teacher after graduating from Queen’s University, I really enjoy the buzz with the contestants who are all a great bunch of girls from all walks of life.
“When I was an escort last year, I had the role of liaising with the contestant’s parent’s, and generally keeping the girls in good company on their road tours and visits. Sometimes they may be quite a distance from home and need that extra bit of support and reassurance. The Rose competition is about developing friendship and it is really just one big happy family. It is just an amazing experience.
Enjoying a high tea at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa are Mary Rose McKenna and Cqtherine Madden
“The regional finals take place in June in Port Laoise and the Rose of Tralee competition final takes place within the week-long festival from 20-21 August.
“This week is a huge international festival with people coming from all over the world to enjoy all things Irish in County Kerry. It is really a celebration of Irish culture and if a Rose has Irish links she can enter the competition.â€
(VIEW MORE PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK – Down Roses )
The festival fringe week in Kerry is a fun week with theatre, street entertainments, music and much more generating an atmosphere never to be forgotten. And the festival is getting bigger each year.
Gemma Murphy, the 2010 County Down star from Newry whose parents hail from Downpatrick, was also mentoring the contestants. She was the first ever Down Rose to get through to the finals at the Rose of Tralee contest. She said: “Our role is to help bring them through the different stages. We get them ready for the different events.
“It is a tremendous pleasure to be associated with the Rose contest and to be part of this great circle of friendship. The contestants all get on very well and I’m more than sure that their friendships will be long-lasting which is what this is all about.â€
The contestants have had a ball over the past two weeks. They have spent a day in Portaferry, visited Castleward and Dundalk races, have been go-karting, bouldering and also enjoyed a relaxing day with beauty treatment at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa.
Contestant Aisling Kearney (21) from Downpatrick representing the Oakley Fayre, said: “This is the first time I have taken part in anything like this. It has been an absolutely fantastic experience. The girls are all so friendly. I just love meeting new people and taking part in this contest has just been amazing. I’ve made so many new friends.
“I want to go on and study to become a diagnostic radiographer and this is something I will remember fro the rest of my life..â€
Carol Ann Colman (23) from Portaferry who hopes to go on to university said: “In this contest you certainly meet a whole lot of need people and everyone is so very friendly. It is a life-time experience, something we will all treasure for ever.
Catherine Madden (25) from Downpatrick also was over the moon about taking part in the Rose contest. She said: “I work as an assistant producer in a TV film company and this is my first time too in the Rose of Tralee and anything like it. It is such a wonderful experience it defies words. Everyone is so friendly. It’s great fun to dress up. We have to meet the judges tomorrow so all of our nerves are beginning to tingle a little.â€
Whatever happens at the Canal Court, whoever wins the title of Down Rose, one thing is for sure… all of the contestants are definitely winners!
Good luck girls!
www.roseoftralee.ie
Listen to one of Ireland’s greatest liove songs – The Rose of Tralee (by John McCormick)
