Campaign launched to find 2024 Cork Rose

CORK Rose, Kate Shaughnessy, has launched this year’s campaign to search for a 2024 Cork Rose.

The launch of the campaign, at Rochestown Park Hotel, marks the beginning of the search for a Cork representative to attend the Rose of Tralee International Festival.

An entrant will be selected as the winning Cork Rose by June 8, and she will then go on to represent the county at the festival in August.

“It will be bittersweet for me as I have loved every minute of it, but I am so excited to meet all the new Cork Rose entrants and for the amazing experience they’re about to start,” said Ms Shaughnessy.

“The people of Cork and the Cork Rose Team have been such a support to me over the last year, and I have no doubt they’re about to do it all over again for the next Cork Rose.”

Prior to the selection, entrants will enjoy several days out including a Rose tour around some of Cork’s finest establishments and landmarks.

The chosen Cork Rose will then enjoy a fortnight of events before the official showcase, beginning with a multi-destination Rose Tour alongside other national and international Roses, a chance to take part in parades and gala functions in Tralee, and a live interview with a journalist from RTÉ.

The 65th Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place this year from August 16 to August 20.

Those interested in applying for the Cork Rose position must be over the age of 18 years and must not have reached their 30th birthday on or prior to September 1.

An entrant sponsorship fee of €250 is also required for the Rose hopefuls.

Additional requirements include that entrants must be born in Ireland, be an Irish citizen, or of Irish descent, and must have never previously represented any centre as a Rose either regionally or internationally.

Information sessions will be held by the Cork Rose Team in the coming weeks in Youghal on March 21 and Charleville on March 28.

Entrants can also apply online by visiting: https://roseoftralee.ie/apply-to-be-a-rose/