The 52nd Rose of Tralee begins next Friday with the International Gala Rose Ball, at which 32 Roses of Irish birth or ancestry will be hoping to be deemed to be most “lovely and fair” at the end of the five-day festival.
Once billed as the “greatest free show on Earth”, the event drew 916,300 viewers for the final part of last year’s programme, an increase of 172,300 on 2009 and its highest viewing figure in over a decade. Dáithi Ó Sé, who is engaged to a former New Jersey Rose, returns for his second year to host the selection nights, which never fail to involve party pieces comprised of obscure talents (this year’s Cork Rose can recite all the street names on the Monopoly board).
Dublin’s Siobhéal Nic Eochaidh has emerged as an early favourite among bookies, as has Dubai Rose Gráinne Boyle, a special needs teacher, and Wexford Rose Mary Kehoe, who won a silver medal at last week’s European Club Softball Championships.
Famously, contestants are not judged on their appearance but rather their overall suitability to serve as ambassadors for the festival, which celebrates the “aspirations, ambitions, intellect, social responsibility and Irish heritage” of modern young women.
This year the judging panel includes rugby international Ronan O’Gara, who has admitted he can’t resist the festival’s charms. The event, which includes a fashion show, concerts and parades, culminates on Tuesday 23rd, when a new winner will replace Clare Kambamettu (pictured), last year’s London Rose.
