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The Rose of Tralee Festival 2007
Edited and adapted by Bridget Haggerty from RTÉ promotional copy

The Rose of Tralee International Festival now in its 48th year is steeped in history and continues to remain in the hearts of the Irish community both in Ireland and overseas.

The event is themed on the love song “The Rose of Tralee” written by a nineteenth century wealthy merchant for his lost love Mary O’Connor. The festival continues to grow and now incorporates 33 centres from the island of Ireland and 25 overseas centres from locations such as North America, Great Britain, Europe, Dubai, Australia and New Zealand.

The festival is by its very definition closely associated with the town of Tralee and has strong cultural and historical links with the area. It is also fundamentally about bringing together the global Irish community in a celebration of Irish culture and a sharing of the experience of Irish people and their descendants throughout the world.

As well as street theatre, family entertainment, live music and concerts, the Festival incorporates the Rose of Tralee Selection which takes place over two nights. The event is televised live from the Festival Dome on RTÉ and is also webcast live to festival followers across the globe on both evenings. For information on how you can watch/listen to the live webcast click RTE Rose video.

Television and radio presenter, Ray D'Arcy, returns to host the Rose of Tralee for the third year running and will interview each contestant over the two nights. Then, it’s the turn of the judges to make their final decision and, from all accounts, it is going to be very difficult as all of the contestants are impressive. However, the judges are comprised of a panel well versed in what it takes to win and wear the the Rose of Tralee Crown.

Judges 2007
Oonagh Doyle
Newbridge Silverware
Oonagh is Sales Director at Newbridge Silverware and Chairperson of the 2007 Rose of Tralee Judging Panel.  In her capacity as Sales Director of Newbridge Silverware Oonagh oversees the development of retail outlets across Ireland and the UK . For the past 4 years Oonagh has been highly committed to the Rose of Tralee Festival and has carried out her role as Chairperson of the judging panel to great effect. “I thoroughly enjoy my role with the Rose of Tralee and admire all the amazing young ladies that participate in the event yearly” said Oonagh
“This truly is a unique celebration and I am very proud to be associated for the 4th year running with Ireland`s premier heritage event”.

Sharon Ní Bheoláin
RTÉ
Sharon Ní Bheoláin is co-anchor on RTE’s 6:1 News, an award winning journalist, she has worked as news reporter and presenter on RTE 2's News 2 and Nuacht RTE. She also presented RTE's popular Irish language series Turas Teanga. She is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin.

Sean Kelly
Executive Chairman, Irish Sports Institute
Sean Kelly is currently Executive Chairman of the Irish Institute of Sport. He is the former president of the GAA being the first Kerryman to hold the office. He will always be associated with the opening of Croke Park to soccer and rugby which was an overwhelming success for all of Ireland this year.

David Slattery
CEO of Slatterys Travel
David Slattery is CEO of Slatterys Travel, Irelands largest tour operator and one of Kerry's biggest employers. Slatterys Travel is an award winning, family owned company, with a catalogue of firsts in the Irish travel industry. Slatterys Travel has revolutionised regional air travel from Ireland and now fly from more Irish airports, including,Waterford, Knock and Galway, than any other Irish airline. Slatterys Travel operates Ireland's only direct service from Ireland to South Africa with a weekly flight from Dublin to Cape Town. As a born and bred Tralee native, David is honoured to be part of this years judging panel.

Kirsty O'Shea
International Rose of Tralee 1993
After being crowned International Rose of Tralee 1993, Kirsty returned to Ireland and lived in her native Dublin for ten years where she predominantly worked as marketing manager for an Irish telecoms company.  Itchy feet eventually took Kirsty to London where she now works for Goldman Sachs, the American Investment Bank, within the Financial Sponsors Group.  Kirsty has maintained her involvement with the Rose of Tralee at several regional selections over the years.  This is her ninth festival since 1993 and she is delighted to be returning as a judge.

In summary, the Rose of Tralee Festival 2007 promises to be filled with fun, spectacle and glamour. A jam-packed Entertainment Programme is sure to have something for everyone with highlights including the Rose Ball, International Rose Parade, Newbridge Silverware Fashion Show, free street events and much much more. Core sponsors of the Rose of Tralee are Newbridge Silverware, RTÉ, Kerry Group and the Irish Independent. For complete details about the 2007 event, please click RTE or Rose of Tralee.

Meet this year’s winner
The Festival Dome in Tralee resounded to "New York, New York" as Lisa Murtagh was selected as Rose of Tralee. Lisa, an attorney was accompanied by her Dad Colman, a native of Co. Longford, her Mom Breda, from Co. Limerick and friends. The new Rose was serenaded by 3 Roses of Tralee – Róisín Egenton (New York 2000); Orla Tobin (Dublin 2003) and Orla O’Shea (Kilkenny 2004).