It was a most definitely a case of déjà vu last night as New York’s Rósín Wiley was revealed as the Rose of Tralee for 2023.
Festival fans will roll back the years by two decades to recall that another Róisín from New York – Rósín Egenton – was crowned Rose of Tralee in 2000.
Pictures: Domnick Walsh
The new Rose, in fact, becomes the fifth representative from the Big Apple to take home the coveted prize with Laura Murtagh winning in 2007, Marie Soden in 1976 and Maggie Flaherty in 1974.
Róisín is vice president of national sales at a consumer marketing company, working with customers to support them to plan and execute strategic digital and in-store campaigns.
Her parents, Eddie and Majella, were born and raised in Templeglantine and Kilmallock and emigrated to New York in their 20s, building a life in Westchester.
Reacting to her win, Róisín remarked: “Oh my goodness, wow. I’m amazed. I’m so thankful for meeting all these girls. Thank you to everyone.”
“I’m so thankful and I’m just so excited for the next year,” she told the audience at the Kerry Sports Academy on the Munster Technological University campus.
Róisín said the other roses had been “unbelievably supportive” of her victory and that one of her priorities for the coming year will be representing the 31 other women.
“It’s not just about me but about my full class of sisters,” she said.
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