Tyrone Rose heads for Tralee regional finals

The talented Tyrone Girl will join 54 other Roses from all over the world at the Portlaoise finals throughout an action packed weekend, commencing on 31st May and finishing on Sunday 3rd June.

A panel of judges will accompany the Roses throughout the Regional finals in search of seven Irish Roses from the field of 29 to proceed to the live televised International Rose of Tralee Festival in August.

And Catherine has had plenty of opportunities to adjust to the pace of Rose of Tralee life as she has carried out newspaper and magazine interviews this week, as well as holding a fundraiser for Cancer Research, judging a recent event in Kinturk and attending other county Rose selections.

She says: “Becoming the Tyrone Rose has just been fantastic. I have met so many people, received such great support and people tell me that this is only the beginning!”

Catherine has just finished her first year exams at St Mary’s University College, Belfast, where she is training to be a primary school teacher. She has been savouring the royalties of her Tyrone Rose title win with a visit to numerous sponsors from Precious to Corrgian’s Opticians as well as Belle Couture Dresses and Rocwell water.

Catherine has been overwhelmed with the great support from family and friends and the entire community of Dungannon, as well as her county Tyrone and beyond.

Many of her family and friends will travel down to Portlaoise to cheer on their Rose.

Catherine continued: “It is always good to be nervous, but I am more so excited about going to the Regional Final in Portlaoise and meeting other Roses from all over Ireland and the rest of the world.

“It is an honour to represent my county Tyrone in this wonderful festival and I have promised myself to enjoy every minute of living the Rose experience.”

Catherine extended her sincere thanks to her Rose Sponsor for the Tyrone event her employer in Dungannon, Newell Stores.

Whilst the year ahead is a hectic one she is overwhelmed at being Tyrone’s Rose of Tralee, and hopes to be able to raise money for her nominated charity Cancer Research, with fundraising already kicked of at a recent night in Aughnacloy, as well as launching and taking part in the Charity’s annual Race For Life in Stormont on Sunday past. Watch out for more events throughout year as the Tyrone Rose.

The committee would again like to send out a special thanks to all sponsors and supporters of the Tyrone Rose 2012, including the main sponsors of theevent, Rocwell Water, Tyrone Courier, Greenvale Hotel and Cookstown Textile Recyclers, Precious Cookstown as well as Cookstown District Council, Corrigan’s Opticians, Boots, Party Pieces by Pamela & Belle Couture.

A special thanks also goes to last years Tyrone Rose Donna Ross, who has been a fantastic ambassador for her county throughout the year.