Reigning Rose of Tralee Kirsten Maher will be a special guest on the night.

Twelve young Donegal women are about to have their night in the spotlight as they compete to become the 2019 Donegal Rose.

The Abbey Hotel in Donegal Town will host the Donegal Rose Selection in association with R McCullagh Jewellers this Saturday 25th May.

There is much anticipation for the event as people wait to find out who will go forward to represent Donegal in the Rose of Tralee International Festival.

This year’s Donegal representative will have a guaranteed interview in the Dome in August, as the Rose of Tralee International Festival celebrates 60 years.

The Donegal Rose hopefuls of 2019 are:

Kara Meehan Sponsored by North Atlantic Basketball Academy
Chloe Kennedy Sponsored by Rory’s Auto Spares
Deyna Collins Sponsored by Allingham Hotel
Clodagh Roper Sponsored by Slevins Department Store
Ruth Gillespie Sponsored by Scoil Rince Tir Chonaill
Brid Cannon Sponsored by Teach Mhici

Rachel Doherty Sponsored by Casey’s Super Valu
Nadine McCarron Sponsored by The Harbour Inn Buncrana
Ellen O’Donoghue Sponsored by The Rusty Mackerel
Roisin Bonner Sponsored by Cara Pharmacy
Anila Devasia Sponsored by Indian Association
Emma Rose Callaghan Sponsored by An Grianan Hotel Burt

The women will have a big day on Saturday as they face interviews with the three Judges, both individual and group interviews, and in the evening all guests are invited to support the Roses whilst they are interviewed on stage with MC Lee Gooch.

The Roses will be accompanied by their Escorts and also little Rosebuds.

At the end of the evening the judges will then selected the 2019 Donegal Rose, she will receive the Donegal Rose Sash, Tipperary Crystal Jewellery including earrings, necklace and a bracelet and go forward to the Rose of Tralee Festival in August where she will enjoy the Rose Tour, be interviewed by a panel of judges attend Carnivals and of course all the events in the Dome with an interview on RTE with Daithi O’Se.

Niamh Duggan was the Donegal Rose in 2018

Once again this year in Donegal all of the Roses will wear jewellery from R McCullagh Jewellers and the wonderful team with Julian and Gareth Ball at the helm were on hand to help choose jewellery for the big event. There was great excitement this week as the girls selected their jewellery for the selection.

The Donegal Rose Centre wish to thank R McCullagh Jewellers and all the Sponsors of the Roses.

A spokesperson said: “A special word of thanks to Niamh Duggan 2018 Donegal Rose who will hand over her sash this weekend, Niamh has been an inspirational lady to many since she was selected last year, her passion for the Rose of Tralee and indeed her County Donegal and love of her homeland Tory Island has been conveyed through many trips to visit Roses around the World.

“The friendships made in Tralee have continued and we look forward to welcoming a number of the Rose Class of 2018 to Donegal this Saturday along with Special Guest, the Reigning Rose of Tralee, Kirsten Maher who will be in attendance.

“The Chairman of the Rose of Tralee Anthony O’Gara and his wife Oonagh will also make the trip from Tralee to attend the Donegal Rose Selection.”

There were four Roses from Donegal in 2018

The Rose Centre extends Special thanks to R McCullagh Jewellers and all of the Sponsors in the 2019 Donegal Rose Selection. Wishing all the Roses the best of luck on Saturday.

Tickets for Saturday are available online or from any of the Roses.

Banners of support are always encouraged to support your Rose and a prize will be given to the best banner

Click for Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rose-of-tralee-donegal-selection-in-association-with-r-mccullagh-jewellers-tickets-61610071382

Show starts at 7pm in the Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town

For more information contact donegalroseoftraleefestival@gmail.com