The iconic Rose of Tralee International Festival emerged from a 2-year hiatus over the weekend with a real flourish, as it formally announced inspiring plans for an exciting new era and officially launched “The Search for the 2022 Wicklow Rose of Tralee”.

And now the search for a Wicklow Rose is getting underway.

Breda Heary, Wicklow Rose Co-Ordinator, commented: “We at the Wicklow Rose Centre are inviting all interested young women between 18 and 29 years old to put themselves forward to enter this year’s Wicklow Rose selection. As a new initiative we are inviting GAA, Camogie Clubs, Societies and local communities to partner with the Wicklow Rose Centre and participate in local events and in return the Wicklow Rose Centre will make a generous contribution to the local community or organisations involved.”

Steve Cronly, Director of Operations of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, stated: “It is an exciting new partnership between the Wicklow Rose of Tralee and Wicklow Co. Council. The festival is rolling out a programme to engage with communities across Wicklow over the next three years, to build a structure of multiple local events in communities across the county. Our focus will be to work with those communities to hold Rose Selections, and through that process to support community fundraising in each of those areas.”

Speaking at the launch of the 2022 Wicklow Rose in the Arklow Bay Hotel, Lorna Mallick, current Wicklow Rose, said: “Since becoming the Wicklow Rose in 2018 my life has changed so much. I have had the most incredible year from becoming the Wicklow Rose, and then onto Tralee, meeting so many new friends along the way, going to a lot of different events all around the country, it’s just been amazing few years of unforgettable memories and friends to last a lifetime. I would recommend it to any young woman to go for the Wicklow Rose and have the time of their lives.”

Cllr Shay Cullen, Cathaoirleach, Wicklow County Council, stated: “The Rose of Tralee festival offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase Wicklow to the world.  The Wicklow Rose will represent our County in Tralee in August and she will be our ambassador for the next two years!”

Anthony O`Gara, the Executive Chair of the Festival, revealed details of a plan for the event to become more accessible at community level with a vision to support voluntary fundraising efforts. “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,” he said adding that relaxed entry requirements would make it easier to become a Rose of Tralee while supporting the all-inclusive and diverse nature of the festival.

Will you be the next Wicklow Rose? Visit. www.therosetralee.ie for entry details.