Charmaine urges Rose buds to go for it

REIGNING Rose of Tralee Charmaine Kenny, 26, yesterday urged other young Irish women to enter the glamour contest, being held for the 51st time this year.

Launching the 2010 Rose of Tralee International Festival, she described her experience as “brilliant”, saying she had been invited to some extraordinary events, including a civic reception in her home town of Athy, Co Kildare, and meeting President Mary McAleese in Áras an Uachtaráin.

“I can’t believe the amount of fun I have had since I was crowned Rose of Tralee,” added Charmaine, who was the London Rose.

The management science graduate has also been involved in many charitable and business events and travelled abroad with the Voluntary Services Overseas and the Chernobyl Children’s Project.

The title has given her an opportunity to act as an ambassador for Ireland at a global level, she said.

Entries are currently being taken from women wishing to take part in this year’s festival which will run from August 20 to August 24.

The winner will have the opportunity to work with charitable organisations at home and abroad and will promote the festival among the Irish diaspora. Among her prizes will be a “trip of a lifetime”, estimated to be worth €25,000.

Twenty-nine winners of county Rose contests will quality for the Irish regional final, in Portlaoise, on the June bank holiday weekend, with the Cork, Dublin and Kerry roses automatically qualifying for the final proper in August.

A total of nine Irish finalists will join 22 international finalists, in Tralee, in August, where they will be feted for a week and will be given VIP treatment at a gala Rose ball and hectic series of receptions.

The 2010 Rose of Tralee will be announced before midnight on Tuesday, August 24, live on RTÉ Television.

The winner will receive a range of Newbridge silverware, including the Rose tiara, a canteen of cutlery, a complete selection of jewellery and a Newbridge home collection.

She will also receive a new car to drive for a year.

* Candidates looking for information can log onto the website www.roseoftralee.ie under How to become a Rose. Application forms are available to download from the website.