Southern ambassador sought for Rose of Tralee
“We have only hosted three times since the festival began, 2016, 2010 and 1989. It is an opportunity to showcase our region not only to the contestants but to the visitors that travel in support."
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A hint of Irish heritage is all that is required to be eligible for the Southland Rose of Tralee competition according to the Invercargill Irish Society.
The Rose of Tralee is an international festival held annually in Ireland that celebrates women and appoints a female ambassador for Irish culture and heritage. Countries from all over the globe send a representative and New Zealand has a proud history of taking part.
To be selected as the New Zealand Rose of Tralee, you must win the regional competition, then compete at the national contest. The Southland Rose of Tralee is being held in Invercargill on Saturday 6 April and the Invercargill Irish Society are looking for women aged between 18 and 29, that can speak to their Irish heritage and are looking for a unique experience to enter the 2024 Southland Rose of Tralee.
Kelsi Wallace was the 2023 Southland Rose of Tralee and won the New Zealand title, travelling to Ireland.
Asked about the event she said: “It’s not a pageant, it is a celebration of strong, individual and genuine women of Irish heritage. The role of the rose has changed and grown with our society, and it is a festival that I have been proud to be involved with. I would recommend the experience to anyone. It is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Wallace has just returned from New York where she joined other international Roses to take part in their famous St Patrick’s Day Parade which has run every year since 1762.
“It was absolutely magical. It was an absolute honour to be involved with one of the largest St Patrick’s Day parades and we were joined by 26 previous international Rose of Tralee winners., which speaks volumes to how special the Rose community is.”
Due to Wallace winning the 2023 title, the Invercargill Irish Society will also host the 2024 national competition in Invercargill.
Rose of Tralee Committee Chairperson, Laura Morrison said they are excited and proud to host the nationals in Southland.
“We have only hosted three times since the festival began, 2016, 2010 and 1989. It is an opportunity to showcase our region not only to the contestants but to the many visitors that travel in support.
Morrison said the competition has evolved a lot in recent years.
“It used to be that you could only enter up to the age of 25 and had to be unmarried. The competition does well to reflect modern society and they have removed what might have been seen as barriers in the past. We are looking for someone who wants to develop their confidence and leadership skills, is proud of their Irish heritage and will make a great ambassador for our region.”
To find out more about entering the Southland Rose of Tralee you can contact the Invercargill Irish Society via Facebook or go to the Rose of Tralee website.