THE stage is set for this year’s Down Rose of Tralee selection which will take place in the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa this Sunday evening at 7.30pm.
Entrants for this year’s competition will compete for a place in the final Rose of Tralee International Festival, which attracts more than one million television viewers on RTE every year.
This year, there are 18 entrants for the Down Rose hoping to be selected as the ambassador for the year ahead to represent the Mourne County on an international level.
Rather than a beauty pageant, the Rose of Tralee is promoted as a cultural and tourist title, which aims to connect the Irish community throughout the world.
The local roses have enjoyed a cultural tour of East Down taking in the sites of Castleward, Ballyhornan and Ardglass, competed in karting, went bouldering in the Mournes and enjoyed an afternoon tea and spa treatment in the Slieve Donard.
Sunday evening’s event will be being hosted by award-winning Cool FM DJ, Connor Phillips, with music being provided by Downpatrick’s up and coming star Matthew Campbell.
There will be a raffle in aid of Friends of A, which is a charity founded in memory of the 2010 Texas Rose who passed away at the age of 26 due to a brain aneurysm.
The charity is currently funding research into the early detection and possible prevention of brain aneurysms in association with the University of Limerick.
Tickets are £10 and can be ordered by calling Gareth on 07786 837198 or on the door on the evening.