As my year as the International Rose comes to an end, I have never felt a more bittersweet feeling. This role was a profoundly transformative experience for me. I am incredibly grateful for the friendships I formed and the perspective I gained during this past year. Being selected as the 2023 International Rose of Tralee has truly been an invaluable blessing in my life.
My journey started in June of 2023, when I was selected as the New York Rose. After initially participating in the New York Rose Selection in 2022, there was not a day that went by over the following year that I did not think about re-entering in 2023. I initially entered the Rose on a whim to check-off a lifelong bucket list item, but once I became involved, I was hooked. I was overtaken by the feeling of pride I had while representing myself and my family and felt very passionate about becoming more involved with this festival. When I was selected as the New York Rose, I had fulfilled my dream, and anything beyond that would have been sprinkles, on the icing, on the cake.
August rolled around very quickly, and the 31 other Roses and I made our way to Wexford to kick-off the Rose Tour. There was certainly some anticipation and nerves leading up to the start of the Tour, but once we got on the bus and started singing a few songs, our bond formed quickly. Every stop we made along the Rose Tour felt more and more special, and I will never forget the effort that each town, community, and business made to welcome the Roses.
We arrived in Tralee on a Friday, and the next few days were just magical. Tralee becomes its own bubble for the weekend, where the Roses are truly treated like Princesses. Whether it was the paparazzi-esque photographers, signing autographs, parading through town, or being escorted around by men in Tuxedos; it did not feel like real life! There is nothing like the Rose of Tralee international Festival anywhere else in the world.
On August 22nd, my life changed forever when Kathryn and Dáithí announced, “Representing New York!” At that moment, my head was anywhere else besides the thought of my name being announced. I was still trying to process the fact that I was standing on stage with Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas, no mind the thought of being named the International Rose. When my name was announced, I think I lost my breath for a minute. I am so grateful to the Roses for gathering around me, and I can still feel the hug that Rachel gave me when handing over the sash; I knew that they would be by my side through everything to come. I then took on the role of a combination of Princess Diana and James Bond. One minute I was having my makeup touched up, drinking a glass of champagne, and taking interviews, the next I was swept into an unmarked car speeding through the back streets of Tralee, as if we were on a spy mission. It is a night I will never forget for the rest of my life (partly because my dad watches the RTE playback multiple times a day since), and little did I know that that moment was just the beginning.
I travelled back to New York a few days later. I was welcomed back with open arms, and it has been extremely fulfilling to celebrate this win with the Irish community in New York. I think that the Irish become prouder of being Irish, once they leave Ireland, and there isn’t a group of people prouder to be Irish, than those in New York. I have been a part of so many special events over the last year…I hosted a sold-out Coffee Chat at the Irish Consulate with General Consul, Helena Nolan and was back at the Consulate a few weeks later to meet the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin. I was invited to attend the New York GAA Gala hosted by Marty Morrissey, celebrated my homecoming with the Kerry Association of New York, and spoke on a Wellness Panel at Therapie Clinic, just to name a few. Amongst all these great things, my New York highlight must be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
In March, I welcomed over 100 guests from the Rose of Tralee to New York, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day together. At this point, the Roses and Rose Escorts had only spent maybe 10 days together, and known each other for a couple months, but the group travelled from all around the world to be together for this weekend. It is remarkable and a testament to the camaraderie that was built while we were together in Tralee. Along with the Class of 2023, 36 previous International Roses of Tralee travelled to New York to reunite and march up 5th Avenue together. I will never forget the moment walking up 5th Avenue with Murine Hurley (’94) on my right, Maggie Flaherty (’74) on my left, and dozens of Roses behind me walking past St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC. I will be talking about that weekend for the rest of my life.
I’ve certainly built up my airline points this year, having had the opportunity to travel around the world with my Rose Class. My first big trip back to Ireland was to Co. Laois for the Ploughing Championships, it was a big change from the heels and dresses, but it could not have been a more fun day (even though we saw no Ploughing). We then took things International, traveling to Frankfurt to open the Christmas Market in Frankfurt-Hochst. Thank you to the Germany Rose Centre for organising a weekend we will never forget! Just a few weeks later, the Class of 2023 rang in the new year together at the beautiful Barberstown Castle which was organized by our Rose Escort of the Year, Tommy Cunningham. A few months later, we had the opportunity to travel to Poland and Spain on two very special charity trips.
In February 2024, myself along with a group of my fellow Roses and Rose Escorts travelled to Poland in aid of the Happy Kids Foundation and Chernobyl Children. This trip was dedicated to aid orphaned children of war-torn Ukraine. Despite the language barrier, we were able to connect with the children and hopefully bring joy and hope during an unimaginably difficult time. I feel blessed to have been able to have had a small hand in raising funds and awareness for the amazing work that these charities do to help these children.
A few months later, myself and a group of Roses and Rose Escorts embarked on the Camino de Santiago, our Camino for Cliona’s. I am a very proud ambassador for Cliona’s Foundation; a charity that provides financial assistance directly to parents of children with illness to help with the non-medical expenses. The group of 11 Roses and Rose Escorts travelled with Terry Ring, Cliona’s mother, on the Portuguese route of the Camino de Santiago for 125 km over 6 days. In that time, we got to spread the message of Cliona’s Foundation, while bonding as a group and reflecting as individuals. The simple things in life are the best things in life, and walking the Camino de Santiago reminded me of that.
Outside of these trips, I have also spent a lot of time in Ireland. I was half considering applying for a job with Aer Lingus given how often I’ve been traveling back and forth this year! Each time I’ve traveled to Ireland growing up, I’ve been under my parent’s wing following their plan, and it’s been a very exciting revelation that I now have my own relationship to Ireland through the Rose of Tralee. In April, I spent 3 weeks traveling around Ireland, and it was a very personally fulfilling trip. I visited both where my Mom and Dad went to school in Templeglantine and Kilmallock, my cousins’ schools, as well as a few of the Rose Escorts’ places of work. Driving myself around in my KIA was one of my favourite parts of this trip; initially driving on the other side of the road by myself was daunting, but once I conquered the fear (with the help of a few lessons from my Uncle Joe), it has now become one of my favourite parts of being in Ireland.
As the 2024 Roses began to be announced, including handing over my New York Rose sash, I have certainly felt emotional at the thought of this year coming to an end. However, I continue to be reminded, “Once a Rose, always a Rose”, and I know that is the case. The beauty of this festival is that the community of Roses continues to grow, and we get to carry the tradition of celebrating young Irish women around the world. I will forever be encouraging young girls to get involved in this festival, as it has been extremely formative and empowering in my young adult life. I have never been prouder of myself, and I hope that I carry this feeling forever.
I am blessed to have had a strong and encouraging support system behind me this year. To the Class of 2023, you are an incredible group of men & women, and I am eternally thankful for the love and support you have shown me over this year. To the Rose of Tralee Festival team, thank you for motivating me to make this role my own. To the O’Gara family, Anthony, Oonagh, and Suzan, thank you for welcoming me with open arms and making me feel so worthy of this title. Suzan, none of this would be possible without you. Thank you for your diligence, considerate nature, and for being a friend. Steve Cronly, thank you for your consistent support and guidance, and always making sure we have time to stop for a coffee. To my friends, a lot of whom didn’t know what the Rose of Tralee was before this year; thank you for becoming my biggest fans. To my family, to make you proud is my biggest goal. Thank you for coming on this journey with me, putting up with me, and loving me so much.
To our 2024 Rose, I cannot wait to meet you. You have it all ahead of you, and I am so looking forward to being a friend and mentor along the way.
It’s been an honour and pleasure as your 2023 International Rose of Tralee. Thank you, again.
