Roses seek to set themselves apart ahead of big day in Tralee

At the launch of the 2023 Rose of Tralee International Festival on Tuesday morning, all 32 hopefuls walked the grounds of Royal Hospital Kilmainham dressed in red and sporting white sashes, looking to set themselves apart.

The Roses, representing women across the Irish diaspora, will travel to Tralee on Friday in advance of the start of the five-day festival. The winner of the Rose of Tralee crown will be chosen next week in the annual live TV event.

Among them will be Charlotte Burton (27), the South Australia Rose, and the first married woman to compete for the prize.

Kate Henegan (27), the Mayo Rose, is an early favourite to win, according to one bookmaker. She didn’t seem too fazed – she’s been planning for this since 2005, when she was just eight years old, she said.

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[ ‘Tralee here we come!’ says Kathryn Thomas, co-host of Rose of Tralee ]

“Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin was just after winning the Rose of Tralee as the Mayo Rose and that’s when I first became aware of the festival, really,” said Henegan, an Irish traditional and classical musician from Castlebar.

RTÉ presenters Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas were on hand in Kilmainham, meeting the Roses for the first time.

“It’s been a pleasure to meet and get to know this year’s Roses. Next stop: the Kingdom,” Ó Sé said.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival runs from Friday, August 18th, until Tuesday, August 22nd.