Kerry Rose: It wasn’t an easy choice, but I strongly believe they made the right decision
THE 2019 Kerry Rose Sally-Ann Leahy has spoken of her disappointment for the people of Tralee, Kerry and ‘Rose’ aficionados worldwide following news that this year’s Rose of Tralee festival has been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It marks the first time in the Festival’s 61-year history that it has been cancelled, a decision that will have a devastating impact on the local economy with hotels, shops, B&Bs, restaurants and pubs expected to be impacted the most.
“This festival brings so many people to Kerry in August every year and is such a wonderful asset to have within the county, which we should be so proud of,” Sally-Ann told The Kerryman.
“I understand this wasn’t an easy choice for the Rose of Tralee festival team; however, I strongly believe they made the right decision.
“Right now, we must all play a part in keeping each other safe and well,” she added.
“I now look forward to participating in another fun-filled year as Kerry Rose.”
Sally-Ann said her thoughts are very much with the people who have been affected by COVID-19, and she thanked the ‘wonderful and hard-working’ front-line staff for doing such great work looking after people.
Sally-Anne now becomes the first Kerry Rose in the history of the Festival to carry the crown for two consecutive terms.
“I’ve had an amazing year so far and I look forward to representing this wonderful family-orientated festival of Kerry,” she said.
“It gave me an opportunity to meet so many wonderful voluntary and community organisations in the county that do so much unselfish work, particularly in rural parishes.
“Being a Kerry Rose for two years in a row has never been done before, the first time in its history. I’m truly honoured and feel very privileged to hold this title for another year,” she added.
Sally-Anne now plans to get involved in more voluntary work throughout 2021 as part of her extended reign as Kerry Rose.
“I look forward to what the next year will bring for my other 31 wonderful Rose sisters and I.
“We hope we will be able to participate in next year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in both Chicago and New York.
“Many of us who travelled to the US last March did not get to walk in these parades as they were cancelled due to the coronavirus,” she added.
“Many of the events which I was due to attend as Kerry Rose over the last few months have also been cancelled because of COVID-19.”
To date, Sally-Anne has helped raise over €75,000 for Pieta House by participating in a 13-hour walk/run with the 2019 Rose of Tralee Roses and their escorts.
Roses and escorts also travelled to an orphanage in Belarus last February with Chernobyl Children’s International.
They raised over €7,000 for those suffering from Coronavirus in the Vesnova orphanage.
“We can all play a part in helping and safeguarding one another,” she said.
“I look forward to celebrating next year’s Rose of Tralee Festival, which promises to be even bigger and better,” she added.