Search for Wicklow Rose ramps up as application deadline looms

THE search for the 2024 Wicklow Rose is well underway, with a series of events encouraging young women from all over the Garden County to apply online ahead of this year’s Rose Selection in May.

Proud sponsor of this year’s Wicklow Rose Selection, Bridgewater Shopping Centre, recently hosted prospective roses and 2022 Wicklow Rose, Roisin Long, for a cuppa in The Pantry and a chat about what is in store for this year’s entrants leading up to the Wicklow Rose Selection in the Arklow Bay Hotel on May 18.

From there, the group of hopefuls were treated to a tour of Beyond the Trees by the wonderful tour guides.

After working up an appetite, the girls were invited to Mickey Finn’s Pub in Redcross, where they were wined and dined in the cosy snug room.

Arklow native Roisin Long, Wicklow’s 2022 Rose, was present to share her experience with some of the girls and answered questions they had about her journey.

Encouraging the Rose applicants taking part this year to enjoy the experience, Róisín said: “My time as the Wicklow Rose has been nothing short of amazing.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m so fortunate to have been chosen as the Wicklow Rose back in 2022. Since then, there have been so many great memories from the past two years that it’s hard to sum it all up in a few words.

“From the tour of Ireland to landing in Tralee, to meeting new people and forming friends for life, it’s been a surreal experience. I have travelled near and far, to counties all over Ireland and across the globe to New York, Frankfurt and London.

“I am grateful to all who have supported me over the past two years – my family, friends and all the local businesses for being so kind and generous. I am proud to have represented the garden County at the Rose of Tralee, and I’m excited for the next Wicklow Rose to represent Wicklow again this year at Tralee in August.

Echoing those sentiments, Steve Cronly, Wicklow Rose Co-ordinator, said: “I would encourage as many young women as possible to take part and become their local Rose.

“I guarantee them they will make incredible friends and have an amazing experience. Many people think that the Rose of Tralee festival is just one week long, and they don’t realise that the Roses and Rose Escorts have so many incredible experiences throughout the whole year.

“So if that sounds like something you’d be interested in, I’d really encourage you to apply this year.

“We at the Wicklow Rose Centre are inviting all interested girls between 18 and 29 years old to enter this amazing experience. We have some fun activities planned for this month and would love any girls out there considering entering to come along and join in the fun.

“We would also like to express our gratitude to our all loyal sponsors and supporters, and we look forward to visiting again soon.

“The closing date for this year’s Wicklow Rose Selection is the end of April, so don’t miss this wonderful opportunity, as there won’t be another Wicklow Rose until 2026.”

For further details, contact the Wicklow Rose Centre on social media or Wicklow Rose Co-ordinator Steve Cronly at 086 2505791.