Entries still being sought for deferred Offaly Rose selection night

The Offaly Rose selection night which was due for April 11 in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, has been deferred due to the Coronavirus, but entries are still being sought for the local final.

The Offaly Rose will walk away with an array of prizes including a number of pieces of Tipperary Crystal and of course the coveted Offaly Rose Sash and the honour of representing Offaly in the dome in Tralee in August.

Steve Cronly, Offaly Rose Co Coordinator commented: “This year whoever is chosen as the Offaly Rose will represent Offaly live on RTE. We would encourage all interested ladies between 18 and 29 to apply and experience the wonderful journey that lies ahead.”

He said entrants would be assisted through their rehearsals, individual judging, group judging followed by stage Interviews and entertainment. 

“The Offaly Rose selection of 2020 promises to be a life changing experience for one lucky rose,” commented Steve. 
Steve thanked all local sponsors and of course main sponsor, KODE, host Bridge House Hotel, Louise from My Fair Lady, Denise Casey Designs sponsor of head pieces and hats, designer Geraldine O’Meara who sponsors outfits and stage dress for Offaly Rose going to Tralee and Reveal Make Up Studios Tullamore for all the make up for the Roses at selection. 

2019 International Rose of Tralee, Dr Sinéad Flanagan recently commenced visited Offaly as part of a natiowide tour. Sinead began by visiting Obama Plaza Moneygall and meeting International Escort from 2013, Henry Healy. 

Having left Moneygall Sinead travelled to My Fair Lady in Tullamore and tried on some of the gorgeous attire on display. In advance of Sinead’s travel to the Sydney Rose Ball in May, My Fair Lady very kindly gifted Sinead an exquisite Ball Gown for the occasion .
From there Sinead visited KODE, main sponsor of The Offaly Rose and met with Kara Kearns, owner of KODE, who very kindly sponsored Sinead for some outfits.

Sinead stayed at the Bridge House Hotel, home to the Offaly Rose Selection and Barry Kilroy and Noel McCann and their team pulled out all the stops in ensuring that Sinead was looked after. Some of the Offaly Rose applicants for this year attended to meet with Sinead and ask some questions of her experience to date.

Sinead encouraged the rose applicants who are taking part this year to enjoy the experience. “I’m having the most incredible experience. Over the past five months, I’ve witnessed and celebrated community spirit all across Ireland, and in just a few weeks I’ll begin my international tour. 

“I had the opportunity to travel to Kolkata with the HOPE Foundation before Christmas which was a really challenging and rewarding experience; and in just a few days I’ll be travelling to Belarus with Chernobyl Children International and some of the 2019 Roses and Rose Escorts. To have all of these opportunities in the space of a few months is all down to the Rose of Tralee Festival. So if that sounds like something you’d be interested in, I’d really encourage you to apply this year.”

For further information on how to enter contact Lyn on 083 4631611 or Steve on 086 2505791.