‘I hope I do you all proud!’

Ballina’s Tara to represent Tipp at Rose of Tralee Festival

Ballina’s Tara Brady has been chosen as the 2024 Tipperary Rose of Tralee. She was selected in front of a large number of entrants and a bumper crowd at the Anner Hotel last Sunday night.

A packed room at the Thurles hotel witnessed the 23-year-old college student, who was sponsored by Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting, chosen as the Tipperary representative for this year’s Rose of Tralee Festival.

Tara is the daughter of Enda and Anne Brady, and having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Joint Honours Degree in History and English from the University of Limerick, she is now studying for her Master’s Degree in Public History and Cultural Heritage. She is an avid Irish dancer and is currently training to compete in the 2024 World Irish Dancing Championships in Glasgow next weekend! The Ballina native is also a member of the all-girl Irish traditional music band, Cailíní Lua, who have performed across Ireland and the USA.

DELIGHTED

A delighted Tara commented: “I am so honoured and overwhelmed to have been selected out of a group of remarkable women. I am so proud and excited to represent my community and county as the 2024 Tipperary Rose of Tralee, I hope I do you all proud.”

Tara was selected from 21 amazing young ladies from all parts of county Tipperary and she now will travel via the Rose tour to the international festival in Tralee in August and will take part in all the parades, evening balls, public engagements and will now appear in the live selection broadcasts.

The night was a great success, hosted by Ollie Turner, who had the crowd well entertained for the night while the winner of the best banner competition was shared between young and old on stage.

The event co-ordinator, Ciarán O’Connell, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Tara. She was popular amongst everyone including a massive crowd from North Tipperary, who supported her on the night.

“She was chosen from some amazing young ladies and we want to wish her the very best of luck. She will have a great year ahead.”

SPONSORS THANKS

Ciarán also thanked the sponsors. “The night wouldn’t have been such a success without our sponsors; we want to make special thanks to the team and management at the Anner Hotel. A massive thank you has to be given to Natashia and the team at Collab Hair, Thurles, who styled the hair of all the roses. Also, thanks to Flowers 4 us Thurles and the team, who helped out on the day.”

Ciarán then thanked Aisling O'Donovan, the 2022 Tipperary Rose, for all her work, passion and dedication she gave to her time as the county’s representative.

“She not only did herself proud but also her parents, parish and the local community and county,”he said.

The charity raffle on the night raised a whopping €850 going towards Aisling’s chosen charity of Barnardos.

Further information on the festival is available at http://www.roseoftralee.ie.