Winner of Rose of Tralee 2025: Prizes and Duties During the Reign

Winner of Rose of Tralee 2025: Prizes and Duties During the Reign

The Rose of Tralee International Festival, a celebrated event in Ireland, offers its winners and escorts a host of exciting opportunities and benefits.

Each year, the Rose of Tralee winner receives a €25,000 travel bursary, which they can use to embark on cultural, charitable, and promotional activities linked to Irish heritage both internationally and within Ireland. The choice of destinations and experiences is flexible, allowing the winner to fulfil their representational duties during their reign. For instance, the 2024 winner, Kelly O'Grady, travelled to New Zealand for the Irish Dance Championships in Wellington, volunteered at an orphanage in Poland, and attended the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Chicago.

In addition to international travel, winners also enjoy a week-long, all-expenses-paid trip around Kerry, Ireland, including stops in scenic locations such as Killarney and Dingle, with accommodation covered by Kerry County Council.

The 2025 Rose of Tralee winner will continue this tradition, receiving a similar trip and the use of a new Kia Niro plug-in hybrid SUV worth more than €40,000 for the duration of their reign. However, they will have to return the vehicle at the end of the 12 months.

The escorts, too, have their rewards. Andy Rodgers, the 2025 escort of the year, found the experience to be completely worthwhile. He mentioned that the role is hard work, with the long days being the most challenging part. The prize for escort of the year is €1,000 in cash, which does not cover the €2,000 application fee. Nevertheless, the experiences of the escorts are not as important as those of the Roses, according to Rodgers.

The Brush 'N' Blush hair and beauty group will style the victor's hair free for the upcoming year any time she is in Tralee. Furthermore, the 2025 winner will receive complimentary accommodation at the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, every time they return to the town during their reign.

It's worth noting that the winner can decide how to spend the travel fund, but with stipulations. The travel fund is expected to be used to represent the Rose of Tralee International Festival and connect the global Irish community. It is unclear if the 2025 winner will have to perform Rose duties as part of this trip.

Previous winners have made the most of their travel bursaries, with Maria Walsh, the 2014 Rose of Tralee, having an intense year of travel, working five days a week in Philadelphia and flying back to Ireland every weekend from August 2014 to January 2015. Current judge Dr Clare Kambamettu also travelled to India twice during her tenure as reigning Rose of Tralee in 2010.

The 2023 winner, Róisín Wiley, used her travel fund to attend the ploughing championship. The cost of the week-long trip for the 2025 winner is covered by Kerry County Council.

In conclusion, the Rose of Tralee International Festival provides its winners and escorts with memorable experiences and valuable perks. Whether it's travelling the world, enjoying a week-long trip around Kerry, or driving away in a brand-new car, these opportunities are a testament to the festival's commitment to celebrating Irish heritage and connecting with the global Irish community.

[1] Source: Rose of Tralee International Festival official website.

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