Tyrone search for 2013 Tyrone Rose of Tralee

The Tyrone Rose Final will be held on Wednesday, April 3rd at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, kicking off at 8pm sharp, with a Wine Reception sponsored by Cookstown District Council and Luxurious Chocolate Fountain greeting guests as they arrive.

It promises to be another successful Tyrone Final with talented, aspiring young women from all over the county taking part.

Tickets are nearly sold out and a small number of people will be able to pay in at the door on the night, but advice is to come early for what promises to be a fantastic nights entertainment.

Judges will be looking for a Rose who is a real people person, who has ambitions and aspirations, someone who is intellectual, has a great social responsibility and a love for Irish culture and heritage, and above all someone who enjoys meeting new people having great ‘craic’ along the way.

The Tyrone Rose 2012 Catherine Sherry possessed all of these qualities and many more.

Catherine has been a fantastic role model for her County and as a result has enjoyed a busy year of Rose activity.

She also became the first official Tyrone Rose to make it all the way through the Regional Final stage and to the International Final last August in the Dome.

Her duties included various appearances and launches in her home County, attending various Charity Fundraisers and also raising money for her nominated Charity Cancer Research, all of which she enjoyed immensely.

“When I look back on the past year, it is with great delight and immense joy when I reflect on my journey as the Tyrone Rose 2012,” said Catherine.

“I have been welcomed into a large family, a circle of friends that make up a national and international community.

“From the very first day I expressed an interest in being a contestant in the Tyrone Rose heat, the Tyrone Rose centre took every step with me, from Cookstown, Portlaoise and onto Tralee!

“They worked tirelessly, supporting, guiding and mentoring me, pulling out every stop to give me one experience that I will carry with me fondly for the rest of my life.

Catherine added: “Over the past few months I was truly overwhelmed and humbled by the support I received.

“The support from the entire county of Tyrone is something I will never forget and even the good luck cards and well wishes that I received on my journey’s throughout the county will always remain very special to me.

“The Irish Regional Final in Portlaoise was a wonderful eye opening experience. With a weekend of fun, frolics and plenty of dancing, I met 54 women from Ireland and all across the world and I am privileged to say that I made friends for life over those three days.

“After being successfully selected in Portlaoise to represent my county in the Dome, my Rose journey continued, but this time with more intense schedules to follow, more places to travel and not forgetting, more dresses and hats to wear!”

Catherine said it was an honour to be the first official Tyrone Rose selected to represent her county in the International Rose of Tralee Festival.

“One of my favourite parts of the whole Rose experience was undoubtedly the Rose Tour, when all 32 roses set off on our coach to taste and experience many cultural events and sights of Ireland.

“I was humbled and grateful to all the supporters, both family and friends who had travelled the long distance to support me.

“Being reunited with family and friends as they stood cheering at the arrival of the Roses was the epitome of excitement, an excitement that continued for the duration of the week!

“I now look forward to supporting Tyrone’s next selection and the lucky person to go forward to the Irish Regional Finals in June 2013. Go for it girls!”

Catherine, along with the International Rose of Tralee Nicola McEvoy, will be in attendance at this year’s 2013 Final where she will pass on her title to the next lucky Tyrone lady.

If you wish to speak with the Tyrone Rose Centre, please contact Colin Hampsey on 07789758358 or email [email protected]