Eleven young Donegal women have been announced as finalists for the Donegal Rose selection this weekend.

The contestants are all hoping to be crowned the ‘Donegal Rose’ of 2022 and represent the county at the 61st Rose of Tralee Festival this summer.

The Donegal Rose selection night in association with R McCullagh Jewellers takes place in the Abbey Hotel Donegal Town on Saturday 4th June. Chloe Kennedy, from Donegal Town, Donegal’s longest-reigning Rose, will be handing over her sash on the night.

Chloe has held the title since 2019 due to the festival being halted during the pandemic. “We wish to thank her for being the most wonderful ambassador for the Rose of Tralee International Festival,” the committee said.

The 11 finalists are:

Rionnach Doohan – Sponsored by CSEI
Emily Duffy – Sponsored by ATU
Aoife Dowds – Sponsored by Healthwise
Sorcha McElchar – Sponsored by Donegal Livestock Haulage
Imelda Dillion – Sponsored by Dunnes Stores
Claire Brown – Sponsored by Annie Mac’s Moville
Geraldine Hardy – Sponsored by Oideas Gael
Katie Rose McAteer – Sponsored by Drumhalla House
Sinead Black – Sponsored by Stevens Jewellers
Nadine Foy – Sponsored by The Orchard Inn
Courteny Boyle – Sponsored by Lavish Beauty

After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, organisers of the annual International Rose of Tralee festival confirmed it is returning in August. There is a change of venue this year, with the televised show being broadcast from Munster Technological University’s Kerry Sports Academy instead of the famous Dome.