Wicklow Rose aims to inspire girls in sport
AFTER being named the 2024 Wicklow Rose at a whirlwind night of celebrations at the Arklow Bay Hotel on Saturday, Kerry Byrne from Castletown says she hopes to show girls they can play physically demanding sports and retain their femininity.
With 17 contestants from across the Garden County competing for the coveted title and the opportunity to travel to Tralee for the festival this coming August, the competition was fierce, but after a prolonged period of deliberation, judges announced former Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir student Kerry as the winner.
Cheered on by rose hopefuls and proud family members, including mum Caroline and dad, former Ireland and Leinster rugby stalwart Shane Byrne, 21-year-old Kerry said she was in a state of shock and disbelief when her name was read aloud.
“When they called out my name, I thought someone else had won, and I remember thinking, oh, fair play to them,” Kerry said.
“Then everyone started looking at me, and only then did I realise it was me. All the girls crowded around me and gave me massive hugs.
“We had a great time getting to know each other in the lead-up to the selection night, and they were all so supportive and said they were going to get a house in Tralee and pretend they were on a hen do just to support me!
“I was delighted to see my sponsor, Antoinette Hudson from the Gin Mill, there on the night, who has been so encouraging to me and supportive of our ARFC Amazons rugby team.
“Both my grannies were there too, my aunt, cousin, twin sister Alex, and my mum and dad. I’d like to say a big thanks to them in particular, for always encouraging me and my twin sister to do things outside our comfort zone, which this certainly is!”
As Kerry explained, after she was crowned ‘Festival Princess’ at the Arklow Seabreeze Festival in 2022, she met outgoing Wicklow Rose Róisín Long, who described her reign as the best experience of her life and inspired Kerry to “give it a go”.
A sports therapy student at the Portobello Institute in Dublin, Kerry played camogie and football for Castletown Liam Mellow’s GAA Club during her formative years before following the “mandatory” family tradition and joining Arklow RFC’s senior women’s team – The Amazons.
Unflinching in the tackle and bearing her bruises with pride, Kerry said that she was hugely motivated to apply for his year’s Wicklow Rose to show girls everywhere that you can play physically demanding sports while still being able to put on a dress and feel confident and comfortable doing both.
“The Seabreeze put me out of my comfort zone, and I like the feeling of doing something I had never done before,” Kerry continued.
“So, when I saw they were looking for applicants for the Wicklow Rose, I just thought I’d put my name down and give it a go.
“A big part of the reason I went for it was that I mostly find that once you hit about under 16s in any sport, most girls will find other things instead of sports, and some of that is down to them thinking that it is too manly, or that the perception is out there.
“Obviously, sports aren’t for everyone, but for the girls who might want to continue but are feeling discouraged, I just wanted to show them that you can play physical sports like rugby and still put on a pretty dress and feel just as confident doing both.
“I have seen and talked to girls, especially doing the Rose events, who have asked me about the bruises from playing and if I’m scared about showing them.
“I tell them, firstly, I am in a long dress, so you don’t really see them, and if they are visible, it shows that I’m proud to be playing a sport I love, and the bruises are a sign that I work hard.”
Looking ahead to the Rose of Tralee festival and the busy junket of events and activities she’ll embark upon, Kerry said she can’t wait to take another step into the unknown and is ready to fully embrace the experience.
“I literally just started going through my phone replying to all the congratulations I received, so it’s been a busy day,” Kerry joked. “I’m really looking forward to getting more info over the coming days about what will be happening next.
“I was talking to Roisin Long, who gave me her title on the selection night, and she said it was the best experience of her life.
“She told me about touring around Ireland with the other contestants and how busy they were, but that you’re having a blast and savouring every minute.
“Then there are the relationships you build up, and, if it’s anything like the Wicklow Roses, whose group chat is still going on, I’m sure I’ll make life-long friends along the way.”
Following Kerry’s big win, sponsor Antoinette Hudson ‘The Gin Mill’ turned to social media to say that she felt “honoured to have sponsored the beautiful Kerry Byrne, aka the Wicklow Rose!”
Speaking after the awards, Wicklow Rose coordinator Lyn Maloney said: “We are looking forward to getting to know Kerry over the coming months and we are certain she is going to be a fantastic ambassador for Co. Wicklow”
“The Wicklow Rose Centre would like to thank our proud sponsor, Bridgewater SC and the Arklow Bay Hotel for their continued support. And to all 17 local businesses who sponsored the entrants as without them all the event would not be possible.”