Longford set to welcome International Rose of Tralee visitors

It's a busy time for Grace Kemple as she puts together the final preparations to represent Longford at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August. Grace was chosen as Longford's first Rose since 2019 earlier this year.
She will now have the honour of becoming the sixth Longford Rose to appear on stage at the world famous Tralee Dome, following in the footsteps of Marie Brady (2019), Caroline Doyle (2016), Daphne Howard (2015), Aisling Farrell (2013) and Grainne Fox (2007).

In the run up to the Rose Festival Grace will take part in a tour of the country. The journey to The Dome sees the Roses visit some of Ireland’s most famous landmarks. For the first time County Longford features in the tour destinations.
“It's getting very busy,” Grace told the Leader, “There's a lot to prepare for, particularly the tour, it goes on for seven days. A lot of planning is going into it, getting things wrapped up before I head off to Tralee.”

That tour is an opportunity to showcase the country for the international audience the event attracts: “We start in Wexford on August 11. We're there for a couple of days. Then we go to Kildare, and arrive in Longford on August 14. I'm not sure what we will be doing, but they have a few things planned.
“It will be nice to show the rest of the Roses what Longford has to offer. We then go to Meath, Offaly, Dublin and Limerick before we get to Kerry. I'm really happy Longford is one of the destinations,” Grace said.
The 23-year-old is no stranger to the south of the country: “I have family in Tralee, so I'm a regular visitor. This time it's going to be a bit different,” Grace laughs, “I was at the Killarney races last week with a couple of the Roses. It was great. We got great weather for it. It was nice to meet up with the other girls.”
Halfway through her Higher Diploma in Midwifery at Trinity College and the Coombe Hospital, Grace is balancing her educational commitments with the challenge of representing Longford as a Rose.

“You have to take it as it comes. I link in with two co-ordinators, they have been really helpful. Particularly the previous Longford Rose, Marie Brady.
“I have to lean on them for support, but they help with the planning. Trying to fit everything in around work is difficult, but it's great. It's a good kind of busy,” she says.

The young woman is taking the challenge in her stride: “There are 14 Irish and 18 international girls taking part. We are all in a group chat, just getting to know each other.
“We were all in Barretstown last week, I met the rest of the Irish Roses there. We are all going through the same thing, busy getting ready for Tralee. I am looking froward to meeting the International Roses soon.”

Grace thanked all who have got behind her: “I have got lot of support from businesses in Longford.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported me, helping me with dresses, clothes, shoes and the pharmacies. I couldn't have done it without them.”