Summer is over - the Rose of Tralee has been crowned

Here in Ireland you know Summer is drawing to a close when the the Rose of Tralee crowns a winner.

Do you know about the Rose of Tralee?  It is a worldwide celebration of Irish heritage.  In Rose Centers all over the world, regional heats are held where a lady is chosen to represent the center in the final of the Rose of Tralee festival.  You can see more info here.  The Rose of Tralee Festival culminates with the televised final held in the "dome" in Tralee in August of every year.

The chosen winner is the entrant who is deemed to have the same qualities as in the Rose of Tralee....."she was lovely and fair as the rose of the Summer" - click here to hear the Rose of Tralee.

I watch the Rose of Tralee religiously every year.  It was something I grew up with and I really enjoy it.  The ladies who enter are fantastic ambassadors for Ireland and are confident, talented, accomplished, educated young women all destined to do well in their future endeavors.  The winning rose travels all over the world for functions and events along with doing charity work for their reigning year.

This year a very worthy winner was crowned.  The 2014 Rose of Tralee is Maria Walsh - the Philadelphia Rose.  The minute this lady spoke I knew she would win - normally you would have a few favourites but it would be hard to spot the outright winner.

The main sponsor of the event is Newbridge Silverware who created the stunning winners headpiece (and jewellery for all of the entrants), however other sponsors include The Loop, Kerrygold, Connect Ireland, Maldron Hotels and Failte Ireland.  A stand out piece of jewellery for me was the head piece worn by the North Carolina Rose Nancy - who was a right character - I nearly wanted her to win too!

You can watch the winner being announced here or an even better video of a rose being proposed to during last years event!