Search is on for a Dublin Rose to bloom

DUBLIN-based ladies are being encouraged to take part in this year’s Dublin Rose Selection, which will be hosted by TV personality Brian Ormond at the Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, on Friday, June 29 and Saturday 30.

Even though the capital has won the Rose of Tralee five times, including the first Rose of Tralee Alice O’Sullivan in 1959, it’s 15 years since a Dublin Rose emerged from Tralee with the coveted sash and tiara.

A recent Southside winner, Susan Roe, who was living in Ballsbridge when she won the title in 2009, went on to marry a Rose Escort, Adam Craughan, from the 2010 Festival and they now have two children.

Orla Tobin, the 2003 Dublin Rose and Rose of Tralee and Maria Coughlan, the 2017 Dublin Rose have announced details of how young women from the capital city and county can enter this year’s selection process.

Online applications need to be completed at www.roseoftralee.ie/apply as soon as possible in order to maximise the enjoyment of the overall Dublin Rose of Tralee experience.

The 2017 Dublin Rose, Maria Coughlan, said: “All I can say to any young woman is to ‘go for it and apply. The Rose of Tralee international Festival has truly been the most incredible experience of my life and I hope to encourage as many young women as possible to take part in this year’s Dublin Rose event.

“I guarantee them they will make incredible friends and have an amazing experience. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my year as the Dublin Rose and I am really excited for what’s to come.

“Many people think that the Rose of Tralee festival is just one week long, but it’s so much more than that.

“The Roses and Rose Escorts have so many incredible experiences throughout the whole year from the moment they take part in their local event right through to the Festival in August.”