Dublin Roses to be immortalised

ORGANISERS of the Rose of Tralee are inviting former Dublin Roses to be part of a special tribute event taking place during this year’s festival in the famous Kerry town later this month.

All former Rose finalists are having their names inscribed on a glass wall of honour in the Tralee Rose Garden that will be unveiled on August 15 but it’s proving difficult to track some of the Dublin winners down.

Dublin has been represented every year since the festival began in 1959, and has the distinction of winning the first international title with Alice O’Sullivan that year.

Since then 54 Dublin roses have participated with four others winning the international title: Ciara O’Sullivan (1962), Cathy Quinn (1969), Sinead Boyle (1989), and Orla Tobin (2003).

All 54 Dublin roses will have their names inscribed in the Rose Wall of Honour for perpetuity and they’re all invited down to Tralee for the unveiling.

“We’ve lost contact with many of them over the years,

? said, Kerry Gathering Co-ordinator, John Griffin.

“But we’d like them to know they’re part of this lovely tribute.

?

The glass wall will be located around the Jeanne Rynhart memorial in Tralee Town Park and it’s part of The Gathering of Roses tribute being hosted by the local Town Council to salute formerRose contestants.

Some 1,701 Roses from 70 centres throughout the world have participated in the event from 1959 to 2012 and a special commemorative booklet is also being published to mark the occasion.

The council will host a reception afterwards to which former Roses and their families are being invited.

?¢ If you are a former Dublin Rose finalist and would like to be part of the event contact the Kerry Gathering Office at [email protected] or phone 066-7162133 or contact the Rose of Tralee Office on 066-7121322. This year’s festival runs from August 14-20.