'This festival has empowered me': New York's Róisín Wiley named Rose of Tralee
New York Rose Róisín Wiley said she was speechless after she was named this year's winner. Picture: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD
New York Rose Róisín Wiley said being part of the festival has empowered her as she was named the 2023 Rose of Tralee.
The Rose, whose parents are both from Limerick, was presented with the famous sash by last year’s Rose, Rachel Duffy during the final night of the Rose of Tralee Festival.
This year, the judging panel was made up of RTÉ presenter Nuala Carey, broadcaster Ollie Turner and 2012 International Rose of Tralee Nicola Dunne.
After her name was called, the 2023 Rose of Tralee said: “I’m speechless. I’m so thankful and I’m so excited for the next year.
“I started this journey knowing that the Rose of Tralee was the main goal, and I’m just excited now to see what’s to come. This has been something I’ve hoped for my whole life, and now I’m just ready to take on that next chapter.”
On Wednesday, the morning after she was crowned, Ms Wiley said she was "emotional" but "doing great". She said that when she heard her name called out as the winner, she "was absolutely shocked. I don’t think it registered fully for a few minutes".
She added that she'll be asking herself how she managed to win for the next year and also addressed criticisms of the competition and those who say it is outdated.
“Being a participant in this festival has empowered me more than anything I’ve ever done in my life," she told RTÉ's .
"There is a element of judging, but we’re told to be ourselves. That is the most important part in determining whether you’re fit to wear the sash. We are proud to be who we are, so I think it’s a fair way to go about the process.”
Speaking before the live show on Tuesday, the 27-year-old said: “My connection to my Irish culture is my mom and dad both grew up in Limerick and all of our extended family still is here in Ireland.
"The Rose of Tralee has been something my family has spoken about since I was a young girl.
“To be here in Ireland and to see the way my family has supported me these last few days is just unbelievable.”
Whatever your take on the Rose of Tralee it certainly never fails to entertain, and 2023 proved no different, with everything from leg waxing to line dancing and much more in between.
This year for the first time, there were co-hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas to steer an enraptured audience through the madness.
Before the mayhem of the final, it was a slow start this morning in Tralee after the previous night’s celebrations.
However, Johnny McCarthy, who owns Sean Óg’s pub in Tralee town centre was up bright and early in anticipation of the crowds to come after the final live show.
2023 marks his 28th year working for the festival and he said there is “no comparison” to the Rose of Tralee and what it brings to the town.
“It’s like Puck Fair to Killorglin, it’s the same thing. It's the backbone of the town from a business point of view,” he said.
Sitting alongside his co-host Kathryn Thomas during a break from rehearsals, Kerry man Dáithí Ó Sé also noted the importance of the Rose Festival to Tralee.
Having hosted the show since 2010, he said the people of Tralee have taken him in as one of their own.
“I’m almost at a Kerry footballer level,” he joked.
As the sun began to set on the Kerry town, the time had almost come to bid the festival farewell for another year. Proud families and friends poured into the jam-packed Dome with the usual banners of support. Knowing it was the final night, there was even more excitement in the air.
Cheers could be heard from the dressing rooms of the Roses while chants and singing echoed from the escorts’ quarters at MTU.
Opening the show, Down Rose Nadine Downey was first on stage and admitted she was a little nervous. The live shows are never short on surprises and Washington DC Rose Siobhán Spiak gave her granny a very sweet one by presenting her with a birthday cake.
There was another emotional moment when a teary Thomas spoke to Clare Rose Aisling O’Connor about the grief she and her five brothers went through after losing both their parents and how the community rallied around them.
On a lighter note, Ó Sé had everyone laughing as he underwent a painful-looking leg wax.
While this year’s festival had already made history with two presenters taking to the stage, the 2023 Roses have also brought unique stories and backgrounds.
South Australian Rose Charlotte Burton is one of two Roses to take part this year who are autistic.
Speaking ahead of the show, the 27-year-old who is also married, noted the diversity this year.
“To be an Irish woman is just to be an Irish woman.”
Taking part in the festival was a way to connect with her Irish heritage, she said. As for Kerry Rose Kelsey Lang McCarthy, watching the Rose of Tralee was an annual tradition in her house. “I think there were two or three years in a row where my mam said I watched it in my Communion dress.
As for our co-hosts, after a busy few days, how will they celebrate once it's all over? According to Ó Sé, they will be marking the occasion with a much-needed drink.
“We’re going for it — handbrake down — that’s it. There will be someone else driving us home tomorrow morning,” he joked.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
