Irish America

Rose of Tralee

Maria Walsh:
The Gay New Rose of Tralee

By Matthew Skwiat, Contributing Editor
October / November 2014

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The annual Rose of Tralee festival concluded in August with the crowning of a winner, Maria Walsh. The stunning new Rose, a native of Boston, beat out 31 other Roses to win the title. The announcement of the winner coincided with a revelation that Walsh was gay. After her crowning, Walsh sat down with The Sun newspaper and revealed her sexual orientation saying, “I am … [Read more...] about Maria Walsh:
The Gay New Rose of Tralee

Texas Rose Rounds Up the Votes

By Michelle Meagher, Editorial Assistant
October / November 2013

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The winner of the 2013 Rose of Tralee International Festival is 25-year-old Dallas, Texas native Haley O’Sullivan. Teary-eyed and overjoyed, Haley, who beat 31 other contestants from around the world on August 20 said: “Everyone was so fabulous, I can’t believe this is happening.” An American Ireland Fund Young Leader, Haley is a 2010 graduate of the University of Arizona with … [Read more...] about Texas Rose Rounds Up the Votes

U.S. Roses Bloom in Tralee

Julie Grates, Contibutor
October / November 2005

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At the end of August, eight American contestants competed in the famous International Rose of Tralee pageant in Ireland. The eight American girls traveled to Ireland in order to represent their various cities and areas of the country and to compete for the coveted title of Rose of Tralee. Over 200,000 head to Tralee each year to witness traditional Irish song, dance, music, … [Read more...] about U.S. Roses Bloom in Tralee

News: Kilkenny Rose Wins in Tralee

By Frank Shouldice, Contributor
October / November 2004

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Kilkenny Rose Orla O'Shea emerged as winner of the 46th International Rose of Tralee Festival. The 20-year-old teacher was voted ahead of 27 competitors hailing from Ireland, Europe, America and Australia to claim the silver crown. She dedicated her achievement to her mother who died four years ago from cancer. "She made me what I am today," said the emotional winner, who … [Read more...] about News: Kilkenny Rose Wins in Tralee

War of the Rose

By Julia McAvoy Gottlieb, Contributor
August / September 2004

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Elizabeth Kee addresses the controversy about her past. ℘℘℘ This year's Rose of Tralee festival has been grabbing headlines over the controversy surrounding New York's Rose Elizabeth Kee, who will compete in the festival at the end of August. Kee is a former star of the reality television show Temptation Island, in which she was acting like a true temptress. Kee was also … [Read more...] about War of the Rose