"Feeling Proud": Rose Families Celebrate Pride at Tralee Gathering in 2025
Rose of Tralee Festival Embraces Diversity and Empowers Participants
The annual Rose of Tralee festival is a significant celebration of Irish heritage, culture, and the achievements of young women of Irish descent worldwide. Held in Tralee, County Kerry, the event attracts thousands of attendees annually, generating a substantial impact on the local economy and global profile.
This year, Evie Lynn Kelly and Selena Greene believe that Fermanagh Rose Caoimhe Connolly and Longford Rose Sara-Lee Greene, respectively, would make excellent Roses. Their mothers, Tracy Woodcock Russell and Kieron and Lorraine Hoare, are proudly supporting their daughters, Aidan Russell and Toronto Rose Rachel Hoare, in the contest.
Former Rose Nyomi Horgan, who won the title in 1995 while she was a university student, is also attending the festival 30 years after her victory. Horgan finds being the Rose of Tralee a great privilege and describes the experience as a "special sorority of accomplished and purposeful women." She advises the current contestants to embrace their authenticity.
The Roses were surrounded by dancing escorts during the parade, which featured performances from Minnesota's Govenaires Drum and Bugle corps, circus members on stilts, and elevated platforms for the Roses to wave from. The Sam MaGuire Cup, won last month by Kerry, was present at the event, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The festival is increasingly inclusive, welcoming married women, trans women, and raising the age limit to 29, reflecting modern Irish society. Many Roses describe their experience as unforgettable, forming lifelong friendships and enjoying a prestigious platform to share their stories and ambitions. The event highlights the varied professional and personal lives of the participants, celebrating their contributions beyond traditional roles.
Former Rose Nyomi Horgan's win in the Rose of Tralee allowed her to see the world. She finds the festival to be a great opportunity for the Roses to connect with their Irish roots, meet like-minded people globally, and celebrate contemporary Irish identity.
Brian Hurley served as the MC for the event, ensuring the smooth running of the festivities. Dáithí Ó Sé and Kiwi Keely O'Grady were towed into view, sitting next to the Sam MaGuire Cup, adding an extra touch of Irish charm to the proceedings.
The Rose of Tralee festival is more than just a beauty pageant. Mr Hoare, the festival's director, emphasizes that it is a festival, not a pageant, focusing on the achievements, intellect, and social responsibility of the participants. The event is a testament to the rich Irish culture and the empowering experiences it offers to young women of Irish descent.
- The Rose of Tralee festival, while celebrated for its Irish heritage and beauty, also showcases the diverse lifestyles of participants, ranging from fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts to those with interests in food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, travel, sports, and various professions.
- As the festival promotes empowerment, it offers a prestigious platform for young women to share their stories and ambitions, providing opportunities for food, travel, and even a glimpse into the world of sports, reflecting the multi-faceted lives of the Roses.
- Former Roses, like Nyomi Horgan, describe the festival as a special opportunity for personal growth, enabling them to explore not only their Irish roots but also forge connections with like-minded individuals worldwide, fostering an environment that transcends traditional beauty pageant norms, embracing instead relationships, travel, and diverse lifestyles.
