Rose of Tralee Tara's Blog

The Boys Are Back in Town

I am delighted to see the photos of the 2012 Newbridge Silverware International Escorts on the website. The guys attended Bootcamp in Co Kerry last weekend, where they climbed Carrauntoohill in Killarney (wow!), stopped off at outdoor education and activity centre Cappanlea which has the most amazing views over Carragh Lake, and on to Valentia Island for overnight camping.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect and clear blue skies and a bright sun shone over them the whole weekend. The boys went kayaking off the coast of Valentia, had a tour of Valentia Island Lifeboat, and were fed and watered by the Kerry Civil Defence. Views from the top of Carrauntoohill were apparently absolutely amazing and the guys were blown away by the knowledge of their guide, ex-Kerry Mountain Rescue Con Moriarty.

Who did they meet at the top of Carrauntoohill? My good friend the 2011 Germany Rose Saoirse Fitzgerald who was coincidentally also climbing the mountain that day!

Best of luck to all 32 Escorts with their preparation for the International Festival in August, and to the lucky man who becomes the Newbridge Silverware Escort of the Year and wins €5000!

On My Way Down Under!

On my way home to the land Down Under!  

The selections to find the 2012 Roses are well under way, and have recently attended Sligo, Donegal and Derry. I felt like I was back on Rose tour, getting frocked up in ball gowns three nights in a row! A couple of days of much needed rest in Dublin, and then on to the Dublin Rose Ball in the Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown. On to Carlow the next day for a photo shoot with the unstoppable force that are Jedward. To say that I was zapped of energy after they left was an understatement! There was jumping on beds, running around the room, there wasn’t a second to breathe! I have to say that I am a huge Jedward fan, and can’t wait to see them perform down in Tralee on Friday 17th August - and I got a kiss on both cheeks from the pair!

I cannot believe how fast the year is flying by. The thought of handing over my Queensland sash is devastating, but I am so, so excited for the next Rose from my Sunshine State! Next stop, Brisbane airport.

Calling All Volunteers!

As part of National Volunteer Celebration Week, the Rose of Tralee International Festival are offering its volunteers a certified Heart Saver AED course covering CPR, Choking, Def. on Friday May 18th from 4pm - 7.30pm Bar 3 in Abbey Inn to conclude with drinks & nibbles.

We are limited with participants so please text 086 8389771 if you are interested.

For more information on how to volunteer at this year's Festival, take a look at our
Volunteers Page

Home to Ireland

I was delighted to find that the evenings had stretched noticeably since I left 3 weeks ago, still such a novelty for me, as back home in Queensland, the light disappears around 6pm year round.

A photo shoot for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland in Stephen's Green to launch their awareness week, I found myself holding baby Saoirse, a patient with CF. On to the Newbridge Silverware showrooms to pick out a few pieces of jewellery, as I made my way to Galway for their Rose Selection over Easter weekend. It was fabulous to attend my first selection in Ireland, and see it all from another perspective. I look forward to welcoming the Galway Rose, Anna de Paor, to Portlaoise.

On to Cork city to raise awareness for The Hope Foundation, which really whet my appetite for another trip to Kolkata. Watch this space!

In Kilkenny I got some gorgeous dresses in Serendipity, and met with 2004 International Rose, Orla O'Shea and baby son Con. Then back on (not so) rocky road to Dublin.

Next stop was Wexford for the Cystic Fibrosis conference, to celebrate the wonderful work of volunteers of the CF community, wall to wall with inspirational people with fascinating stories.

Back in Dublin I attended the Miss Philippines Ireland event, and was delighted to be recognized as an ambassador for the Filipino-Irish community.

At the Dublin Rose Centre I met some of this year's entrants where the girls were being treated to some style advice from Style Your Image, and caught up with Dublin Rose, Siobhéal.

On to Limerick to visit dress designer Fiona Whyte's studio in Castletroy, and fitted for some gorgeous gowns to wear in Tralee.

American Diary

This was my first time to America, and I was beyond excited! Washington DC and New York here I come.

It never ceases to amaze me that in every corner of the world, I have Rose family to keep me fed and watered. Arriving in Washington DC, I was greeted at the airport by Maureen Dorsett from the DC Rose Centre and DC Rose Dott Henngeller, who gave me a whistlestop tour of the city, and I had many surreal moments, passing sights I had only before seen in the movies. I kept having to pinch myself so I knew this wasn’t a dream.

New York City is a place that has always fascinated me, and here I got to reunite with New York Rose Erin Loughran. Marvelling at never-ending skyscrapers, and listened to the cab driver speak in a heavy New York tongue, I had a feeling I would like this place.

Unateresa Gormley from the NY Rose Centre ensured that Erin and I were invited to the annual Ireland-America Fund Gala Ball. We had a “Carrie Bradshaw” moment, as we stepped out of the car on 5th Avenue, dressed to the nines. The green carpet was rolled out, and we made our entrance into a room filled with a thousand people. There were sporting celebrities from the NY Yankees and Knicks, Irish Rugby legend Alan Quinlan, and boxer John Duddy to name a few.

Erin and I and our fellow 2011 Roses and Escorts attended the Ireland-US Council Luncheon, along with many Irish politicians including Ms. Joan Burton, Minister for Social Protection, and former Taoiseach, John Bruton. I met some familiar faces from my visit to Stormont, and was quite overwhelmed when I was treated like an old friend by some of the leaders of our country.

Breakfast on St. Patrick’s Day morning was on the Upper East Side at Gracie Mansion, the residence of Mayor Bloomberg, and then on to the Governor’s reception. Hearing the same sentiments, and seeing the same faces, I was slowly beginning to understand what being Irish means to this community, and how very well connected they are.

Meeting up with our fellow Roses and Escorts, we descended on 5th Avenue to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Words cannot do justice to the feeling I experienced walking down 5th Avenue wearing my sash and crown. It was a truly remarkable experience, and one I will treasure for years to come.

Back again to Washington DC, and on to the Enterprise Ireland Networking luncheon, attended by an Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Irish Ambassador Michael Collins. I was also treated to a tour of the National Press Club, where many a President had come to address the Nation. 

My trip to America was one of the biggest highlights during my year as the Rose of Tralee. I was lucky enough to witness the way in which Irish-Americans embrace their roots with open arms, and work hard to ensure the Irish community is well-connected, and a source of support, and comfort to one another. After what I witnessed here, it is easy to see why our 70 million-strong diaspora are constantly growing, succeeding, and inspiring others with our sense of community.

Across the Water

This week brought me across the water to Luxembourg for my first selection ball of the year. It was a little bittersweet, as it signaled the first of many, which will eventually lead to a new Rose being crowned in the Dome this August. My overriding feeling though, was that of excitement. Excitement for the adventures that lie ahead in my remaining months as the Rose, and excitement for the young Irish women across the world who are taking part in their selections as I speak.

I would especially like to congratulate the latest group of new Roses: 2012 Wexford Rose Laura Doyle, 2012 Longford Rose Emily Hughes, 2012 Tipperary Rose Lisa Hickey, 2012 Wicklow Rose Eimear Flannery, 2012 Chicago Rose Margaret Rose Keating, 2012 Westmeath Rose Aisling Baker and 2012 Philadelphia Rose Elizabeth Spellman.