Published: Friday, 12th March, 2010 5:00pm

Cavan Rose sought

Rose of Tralee Charmaine Kenny at the Carlton Hotel Tralee urging Cavan women to enter the Rose of Tralee International Festival 2010.

The Rose of Tralee Charmaine Kenny has urged women in Cavan to consider entering the 2010 festival this August. The Cavan heat is in the Cavan Crystal Hotel on Sunday, April 11 at 8pm.

The London Rose, whose hometown is Athy, Co. Kildare, said being a Rose was a fantastic experience: "If you know someone who would do Cavan proud, why not nominate her? Or if you are eligible and would like to give it a go yourself, you really should. I'm having an amazing year and have met some special people during my travels."

The Cavan Rose selection 2010 is being organised by the festival's charity partner Voluntary Service Overseas, which will be working with co-ordinators (VSO sends experienced volunteers to developing countries to share their skills and help to build sustainable livelihoods).

Details about the Cavan event and how to become a Rose are at roseoftralee.ie, where application forms can be downloaded, or contact VSO at info@vso.ie.

Its director Malcolm Quigley said: "We would welcome sponsorship from local businesses, sports organisations or professional grouping, who may wish to be associated with the Cavan event."

Charmaine, who has a Masters in Economics from Trinity College Dublin, said that since being crowned last year she had been invited to some extraordinary events. "Being guest of honour at a civic reception in my honour in my home town and being invited to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet President McAleese as well as travelling to Africa to see the work being done by VSO volunteers in Malawi have been among the highlights," she said.

"I'm looking forward to visiting the regional centres around Ireland and abroad to meet the many entrants for 2010," added Charmaine.

Last year's Cavan Rose was Tara Cunningham from Cootehill. Sponsored by the Cootehill Credit Union, she was spotted by the selection committee in her graduation photo published in The Anglo-Celt.