Ulster aims to take the crown after 33-year gap

Brioni Gallagher from Kingscourt was crowned the Cavan Rose in 2011.

IT will be 33 years in August 2012 since a Northern Ireland woman has brought home the Rose of Tralee crown and in the event's 53-year history, never has a Rose representing Cavan, Donegal or Monaghan taken the title.

In 1979, Marita Marron became the third woman from Belfast to win the Rose of Tralee, following in the footsteps of Therese Gillespie and Veronica McCambridge in 1965 and 1973 respectively.

The reigning Rose of Tralee, Tara Talbot will meet roses of the future all this week (Jan 30 to Feb 3) when she pays a visit to every county in Ulster as part of the search for the 2012 Rose of Tralee.

For more see this week's Celt...