“A modern Irish woman” is how Paula Gannon, Rose co-ordinator described the future Westmeath Rose 2010.
Judging takes place this weekend, with 17 Rose hopefuls from across the county converging on Athlone for the two-day interview process. Interviews with the judges take place today, Friday, while the selection process will be held in the Athlone Springs Hotel on Saturday night beginning at 7.30pm. Judges on the night will be Athlone councillor Aengus O’Rourke, former South African Rose Melissa Cross, and former Westmeath Rose Edel O’Connor.
“There will be a wide array of talent on show on Saturday night. We’re looking for a Rose that will be a good representative of the county and a modern Irish woman,” explained Paula. The winner of the Westmeath Rose competition will receive Newbridge jewellery, a weekend stay at the Carlton House Hotel, and a clothes voucher worth €250.
Once chosen, the Westmeath Rose will go on to represent the county at the provincial final in Portlaoise in June. Here nine Roses will be chosen from representatives from the 32 counties. These lucky nine girls will then go on to the Rose of Tralee final in August.
Not only will the Wesmeath Rose be chosen on Saturday night, but the county’s international escort will be selected to go straight to Tralee. The Rose contestants have chosen their escorts for the weekend, and they will be judged, along with escorts who have entered themselves to go to Tralee. Once the Rose contestants have picked their top five escorts, the three judges will be picking the winning escort to represent the county at the Rose of Tralee final in August.
Saturday night’s selection process will be done in the style of Rose of Tralee and is expected to be a great night of entertainment. Tickets are priced at €25 and available from the Athlone Springs Hotel on the night.
