Pictures: Domnick Walsh
It’s back. The 2022 Rose of Tralee International Festival was officially launched in Dublin this Friday ad organiser herald a new era and the search for contestants for this year’s gala event.
Reigning Rose Sinéad Flanagan and TV show host Daithí Ó Sé gathered in St Stephen`s Green Park with a number of former Roses and other key players to announce that applications to become the 2022 Rose of Tralee are now open.
Also in attendance were festival chief executive Anthony O`Gara, RTÉ musical director Ollie Hennessy, 2014 Rose and now MEP Maria Walsh, reigning escort of the year Jamie Flannery and former Roses Orla Tobin, Dublin (2003), Kirsten Mate Maher, Waterford (2018),
Elysha Brennan, Meath (2015), Denise Murphy, Cork (1991) and Sinead Boyle, Dublin (1989),
The festival emerging with an exciting plan to support local communities and relaxed entry requirements will also make it more accessible to become a Rose.
Reigning Rose Sinead Flanagan, who was crowned in 2019, qualified as a physiotherapist from the University of Limerick in 2014 and subsequently studied medicine in University College Cork.
From Adare, Co Limerick, she is currently working as a doctor in pathology at a Dublin hospital.
Reflecting on the highlights of her reign, she remarked: “The opportunity to travel and become involved with fantastic charitable organisations, such as The Hope Foundation and Chernobyl Children International in Kolkata and Belarus, respectively, was an immense honour”.
Sinead added: “The Rose of Tralee represents a unique opportunity to meet women from across the world, to celebrate Irish culture, and to enjoy fun and festivities in Tralee”.
