Longford tourism to be showcased as International Roses visit county on their journey to Tralee

The iconic Rose of Tralee International Festival emerged from a two year break in 2022 with a real flourish, and excitement is beginning to gather momentum in Longford as it has been announced that the International Roses will visit the county on their journey to Tralee in August.

Steve Cronly, from the International Rose of Tralee Festival, revealed that ‘Longford County Council will support and plan an exciting itinerary as part of the International Rose, kindly hosted by the Longford Arms Hotel and the local Longford tourism industry’.

The visit to Longford will showcase all that County Longford has to offer; where 32 new Roses meet for the first time and enjoy adventures together, creating memories that last a lifetime.

It is four years since Longford selected a Rose representative, with the 2019 winner being Killoe’s Marie Brady.

Mr Cronly outlined, “We are inviting all interested girls between 18 and 29 years old to reach out and put themselves forward to enter this year’s Longford Rose selection. The festival is rolling out a programme to engage with communities across Longford over the next three years, to build a structure of multiple local events in communities across the county.”

Mr Cronly added, “Our focus will be to collaborate with those communities to hold Rose Selections, and through that process to support community fundraising in each of those areas. As a new initiative we are inviting GAA, ladies football Clubs, societies and local communities to partner with the Longford Rose Centre and participate in local events and in return the Longford Rose Centre will make a generous contribution to the local community or organisations involved.”

Current Longford Rose, Marie Brady, said, “I will be forever grateful to the Rose of Tralee Festival for hands down the most amazing experience of my life. Throughout my time as Longford Rose, I have made many lifelong friends as well as taking some amazing trips around the world with them as part of the festival. I would also like to thank the people of Longford for their support along my journey.”

Marie continued, “A special thanks to the Longford Rose Centre, my sponsors and to the past Longford Roses all of whom have supported me beyond words can describe. I am really excited to be handing over the sash after four years to the new Longford Rose for 2023. I hope the next person will cherish the memories and experiences as much as I do.”

The Longford Rose Selection will take place this year on Saturday, April 22 at the Longford Arms Hotel.

The 2023 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from August 18 – 22.

The festival team are presently planning a host of amazing events that traditionally take place in Tralee town during this period, inclusive of lights, parades, family entertainment, street performance and much more.

For Further details please contact Lyn on 083 463 1611 or visit the Longford Rose on any of their Social Media platforms.

Applications to enter the 2023 Rose of Tralee are now officially open. Visit www.roseoftralee.ie for details.

Caption: The 2022 International Rose of Tralee, Westmeath Rose Rachel Duffy on stage with presenter Dáithí O Sé at the Dome in the Kerry Sports Academy at the MTU on Tuesday, August 23 2022. Rachel will visit Longford this Wednesday, February 1 Picture: Domnick Walsh

Anthony O`Gara, the Executive Chair of the Festival, said, “Celebrating our Irish culture, and the positive contribution that Irish people make at home and abroad is a real privilege and we are most grateful for the incredible support we have received over the last eight decades.

“As we look to the future, it is our goal to support the fundraising efforts of local Irish communities and to continue to showcase the incredible contribution of great Irish women globally.”

Entry Criteria – Rose of Tralee International Festival 2023
Taking onboard the feedback of the Irish Diaspora - the Rose of Tralee Festival are delighted to announce the new revised entry criteria as follows:

1) AGE: 18 years of age by January 1, 2023, and will not have reached your 30th birthday on or prior to September 1, 2023.

2) STATUS: Single / Married or anyone identifying as female is welcome to enter.

3) IRISH DESCENT: Be an Irish citizen or of Irish origin by virtue of one of your ancestors having been born in Ireland. For applicants residing outside the island of Ireland - be living in the region you wish to represent for a minimum of one year and recommend that if selected as the Rose that you will remain resident in this region for the following 12 months

4) HISTORY: Never have previously represented any Centre as a Rose in the Regional Festival or International Rose of Tralee Selection. Be available for Rose Selection events and if selected be available for International Festival events.

5) ENTRY FEE: An entrant sponsorship fee of €250 is required for entrants based in Ireland.

MAIN PHOTO CAPTION: The reigning and 2019 Longford Rose, Marie Brady (centre) pictured with six other ladies that were former Longford Rose winners Daphne Howard (2015), Caroline Doyle (2016), Gráinne Fox (2007), Laura Ward (2017), Kat Mahon (2014) and Loren Katie Logan (2018). The Longford Rose Selection will take place this year on Saturday, April 22 at the Longford Arms Hotel. The 2023 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from August 18 – 22 Picture: Shelley Corcoran