The 57th International Rose of Tralee, Elysha Brennan from Bettystown in County Meath, visited County Down on Sunday 10 January at a reception in the Cloughmor Inn in Rostrevor after a visit to Kilbroney Park.
She was welcomed by Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Micheal Ruane along with South Down MP Margaret Ritchie and many wellwishers and some hopefulls who will be entering in the contest this year.
Gemma Murphy, County Down coordinator, said: “Our Current Down Rose, Claire O’Neill was delighted to host Elysha to her county and spoke of how wonderful the experience has been for her this year and about the exciting opportunities for anyone who is thinking of participating.
“A new selection process means twice as many Roses, an extra night on television and a longer festival are all reasons why this year’s Rose of Tralee will be the best yet.
“This time around, the International festival has been extended from five to seven days, from August 17 to 23.
“All 68 roses will travel to Tralee for the festivities and will take part in a fly-on-the-wall documentary to be aired on the Sunday ahead of the live televised shows.
“I really am looking forward to this year’s competition. All the girls are a pleasure to work with, they are a great bunch of people. So if anyone wishes to get involved this year, just contact me and I’ll bring you up to speed with all the details.”
Rose of Tralee Elysha (22) from Co Meath, who has taken a year out from studying medicine in Dublin, said: “The experience has been absolutely amazing so far and I would encourage young women across the country to get involved.”
The reigning Rose, who was diagnosed with a type of cancer called Hodgkin’s lymphoma when she was just 19, said the festival helped her become more self-assured.
“I’d encourage everyone to fill out an application form. What do you have to lose? Life is too short. Go for it. I would like to congratulate the Down Rose Claire O’Neill on having such a fabulous year. She is just a great girl.
“The Rose of Tralee is an incredible competition. It can be hard work but the rewards are great.”
Elysha’s interests include music and dance and she has been involved in a number of pantomimes. Her term finsishes on 23 August when she hands her crown over to the new Rose of Tralee. Through the year, Elysha has travelled to many countries across the world including India, Germany and the Middle East in her capacity as Rose of Tralee.
Down Rose Claire O’Neill said: “I entered to make new friends and to help promote my County. This is not a festival for pretty girl models… it is as much about personality. The girls are all very friendly and are from all sorts of backgrounds. I’m much more at home with my football boots on any day.”
Mayobridge Accordion Band who have been playing in the Rose of Tralee International Festival Parade since 2008 were delighted to meet Elysha again, but this time in their native County Down. Eylsha was presented with a stunning Rose Garland by Mille Flowers and was delighted with her new crown.
After the glamourous reception at the Cloughmor Inn where everyone was entertained by the talented Gabriel Bradley, Elysha was whisked off to visit a local lady, the remarkable Mrs Brady who is 106, the oldest person in Ireland.
This visit to Down was part of Elysha’s whistlestop tour around the 32 Counties of Ireland to promote this year’s contest. Elysha said she couldn’t possibly fit everything into one day that she wanted to see in County Down so vowed she would return again soon.
Gemma Murphy added: “The Down Rose Selection Night will be held at a glitzy event in the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa on Sunday 24 April 2016 but there are many events for our prospective Roses in advance of that, so please get in touch.
“If you know someone who would make an ideal Rose, please don’t hesitate to contact us by email at:
downrose2011@gmail.com
“Or you can also fill an application in online at:
Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairman Cllr Michael Ruane said: “I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Elysha Breen the Rose of Tralee and to our Down Rose Claire McNeill and Armagh Rose Emma Murphy. I hope you all enjoy your visit t0 Rostrevor. Well done to all of you and I am looking forward to this year’s contest hoping it once again brings out the very best of our young ladies in County Down.”
Also at the launch of the Down Rose of Tralee competition in Cloughmore Inn in Rostrevor, South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said: “I am delighted to attend today’s event launching the County Down selection process for the Down contestant in the Rose of Tralee International Festival in the presence of the current 2015 Rose, Elysha Brennan and the Down Rose Claire O’Neill from Burren with the Armagh Rose Emma Murphy.
“This is an international competition focussing on the contribution that young women make to enhancing their communities through volunteering and regeneration. This competition enhances and promotes each of the counties in Ireland as well as the Irish diaspora in other countries.
“The Rose of Tralee International Festival promotes young women, enhances their style and confidence and places them in contact with their peers on a regional, all-island and international context. Congratulations must go to Down Rose coordinator Gemma Murphy and the Down Rose Centre for their investment of effort and sterling work in organising the Down competition for which applications are now open with the final contest taking place on Sunday 24 April in the Slieve Donard Hotel which will select our Down Rose to represent our county in the Dome in Tralee in August 2016.
“I would encourage all young women, if they so desire, and are active participants in sporting, cultural, volunteering and regeneration events in their community to enter this worthwhile competition”.
International Rose of Tralee Commercial Manager Stephen Cromley said: “This year will see the first time we will have brought all 68 finalists to Tralee from their Centres. The event will be two days longer, and every Rose will will enjoy this great experience in Tralee with the Rose tour, selection night, Rose ball and fashion show.
“There will also be opportunities when 32 Roses will be on TV on the Tuesday evening. This will certainly be our biggest Interntional Rose of Tralee contest to date.”
