Search is on for the next cavan rose
The Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh was in town earlier this week to launch the Cavan Rose contest. She was joined in the Hotel Kilmore by guests including the chairman of Cavan County Council, Shane P O’Reilly and the chairpersons of the municipal districts Cllr Niamh Smyth, Cllr John Paul Feeley and Cllr Val Smith and sponsors. The current Cavan Rose Laura Galligan from Drung was also in attendance to help launch the search for the 2015 Cavan Rose.
Maria from Shrule in County Mayo, currently working in Philadelphia, also visited Drung and Crubany National Schools during her visit to the county. While she planted a rose bush in Drung, Maria was treated to a wonderful rendition of 'The Rose of Tralee’ by young musicians at the Crubany school. “It was the best version I have ever heard!”
Encouraging young ladies to enter the Cavan contest, Maria pointed out, to be eligible, they will have to be aged between 18 and 27 years. “If you have a talent such as singing, dancing or reciting a poem, embrace it and be yourself,” she advises. Maria couldn’t recommend the experience highly enough, citing the fun and friends you will make along your journey.
The Cavan Rose Centre co-ordinators Angela McCusker and Angela O’Reilly once again thanked their sponsors - Newbridge Silverware, The Hotel Kilmore, The Anglo-Celt, Salon Tibo and Utopia Health and Beauty Clinic.
The final will be staged in the Kilmore Hotel on Friday, May 1, at 8pm, with MC Conor McPhilips from Belfast.
Nominations are now open for hopefuls to put themselves forward for the selection process. A Rose 'represents the collective aspirations, social responsiblities and ambitions of a variety of communities and backgrounds, united by a desire to celebrate Irish heritage’.
There will be a number of events in advance of selection night and all entrants will be interviewed by a panel of judges.
You must find a sponsor (club or business), pay the fee of €250 and complete a Rose application form. To be eligible you must:
* Be at least aged 18 by January 1, 2015, and not have reached your 28th birthday by September 1, 2015
* Be unmarried or never been married
* Be female, born in Ireland, or an Irish citizen or of Irish origin by virtue of one of your ancestors having been born in Ireland
* Be living in the region you wish to represent for a minimum of one year and recommend that, if selected as the Rose, that you will remain resident in this region for the following 12 months
* Never have previously represented any centre as a rose in the regional festival or International Rose of Tralee Selection.
The deadline for nominations will be Wednesday, April 15, 2015. Contact cavanroseoftralee@gmail.com or Angela at 087-8115391 or Kathleen at 086-0200071 or find Cavan Rose Centre on Facebook.