Longford Rosebud Ciana is on the Kiwi team
There’s more to the Rose of Tralee than being a Rose or a Rose Escort because girls from all over Ireland will each be paired with an International Rose during the Festival in Tralee.
The girls aged from six to 10 are the Rose Buds.
Thirty-two young girls have been selected as Rose Buds, among them is seven-year-old Longford girl Ciana Reilly. Ciana is teamed up with the New Zealand Rose Kelsi Wallace.
The most important aspect about being a Rose Bud is that it is a completely fun experience. Each girl will be twinned with a Rose, take part in two parades, attend an exclusive Rose Bud Party with the Roses and much more during the week-long festival.
On the New Zealand Rose Facebook page the young Longford girl was introduced to their followers: “Remember that great wee message from our Rosebud? Kelsi and Ciana have finally met each other. Ciana is seven from Longford and plays soooo many sports! Thank you Ciana for being our amazing New Zealand Rosebud! Nau mai ki te whanau! Welcome to the family!”
The posts show she has been kept busy: “Ciana was busy making good luck cards for Kelsi and Tim today. Thanks so much for treating her so kindly all weekend. She really has a blast and Kelsi’s kindness made all the difference.”
This may be Ciana's first experience of The Rose of Tralee, but perhaps we will get to see her wear the Longford sash in the future, or even the Rose of Tralee one!