Grace O’Connor, the new Westmeath Rose, with Róisín Wiley, International Rose of Tralee 2023.

Grace O’Connor crowned 2024 Westmeath Rose

Published: Sun 7 Apr 2024, 6:42 PM

Last updated: Mon 8 Apr 2024, 11:05 PM

Grace O’Connor from Killucan was crowned 2024 Westmeath Rose last night, Saturday April 6, in The Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar.

Hosted by MC on the night Dave Harrington from East Coast FM, the selection was a great success and there were more than 200 in attendance.

One of ten young ladies that took part in this year’s selection, Grace (20) sponsored by The Irish school of Shamanic studies in Castlebar was chosen by judges, Muirne Hurley, 1994 International Rose of Tralee, Paula Gannon, 2002 Limerick Rose, and Henry Healy, 2013 Rose Escort.

Sarah Boland, Westmeath Rose Centre coordinator, said: “After the amazing success of our 2022 International Rose of Tralee winner, Rachel Duffy, we were delighted to have ten fabulous young ladies from different parts of the county take part in what was a thrilling selection night.

“Our judges had a tough decision as all our Roses had strong attributes and personalities.”

Grace, a support worker in the Muiriosa foundation, will take part in the International Rose of Tralee Festival in August, including the Rose Tour, festivities in Tralee and the televised selection on RTÉ interviewed by Dáithí Ó Sé at the Festival Dome.

“We are really looking forward to supporting Grace this year as the Westmeath Rose and we will be in Tralee to cheer her on with her family and friends,” Sarah said.