Killucan native, Grace O’Connor, was announced as the 2024 Westmeath Rose at a ceremony hosted in the Greville Arms Mullingar on Saturday night.
Grace will now participate in the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August and will be hoping for a similar outcome to that of 2022 when Rosemount native, Rachel Duffy, achieved the esteemed ‘Rose of Tralee’ accolade to much acclaim.
The Greville Arms event was hosted by East Coast FM MC Dave Harrington, the selection process being a great success with 200 in attendance at the Mullingar venue.
One of 10 young ladies that took part in this year’s selection, Grace (20 ), sponsored by The Irish school of Shamanic studies in Castlebar, was chosen by judges Muirne Hurley, 1994 International Rose of Tralee, Paula Gannon 2002 Limerick Rose and Henry Healy, 2013 Rose Escort.
“After the amazing success of our 2022 International Rose of Tralee winner Rachel Duffy, we were delighted to have 10 fabulous young ladies from different parts of the county take part in what was a thrilling selection night. Our judges had a very tough decision as all our roses had strong attributes and personalities,” Sarah Boland, Westmeath Rose Centre co-ordinator, said.
Grace, a support worker in the Muiriosa foundation will take part in the International Rose of Tralee Festival in August including the Rose Tour, festivities in Tralee and the televised selection on RTE interviewed by Daithi O’Sé under the sparkling lights of the festival dome.
“We are really looking forward to supporting Grace on her journey this year as the Westmeath Rose and we will be in Tralee to cheer her on with her family and friends” Sarah concluded.
