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Rose of Tralee Róisín Wiley reflects on ‘best year of my life’ including Carrie Bradshaw moment

Donal O'Regan, 17 Aug

TO PARAPHRASE Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, who we lost in June: “Róisín

Wiley. Her father's from Kilmallock. Her mother's from Templeglantine.

She grew up in America - none of them a Rose stronghold.”

But Róisín represented her homeland and New York with style, class and

kindness as the Rose of Tralee.

Next week the daughter of Majella (née O’Reilly) and Eddie Wiley will

hand over the crown. She has already handed over her New York Rose sash

to Billie Cooper.

“The last few months as the current International Rose of Tralee have

been the perfect culmination to what has been the best year of my

life,” said Róisín.

One of her final functions was an event close to her and her father’s

heart - Eddie is Club Limerick New York chairman and a massive Limerick

GAA supporter. The event in the Woodlands House Hotel was for a cheque

presentation on behalf of Club Limerick Global. Pictured (below) on the

night is Meg Wiley Curran, Kilmallock with nieces Róisín Wiley and

Sarah Fitzgerald.

Its aim of “bringing together and connecting Limerick people all around

the world in support of our teams” perfectly aligns with Róisín’s time

as Rose of Tralee.

She thinks she has made around 24 Aer Lingus flights across the

Atlantic - Shannon Airport is like a second home - and had planned to

watch Limerick play in the All-Ireland final but Cork put paid to that.

“I feel very fulfilled about the two weeks I got to spend driving

around Ireland, completing some special Rose duties, and visiting

family and friends,” said Róisín.

There have been countless photos taken of Róisín in the last year but

one captures the essence of the young lady. Shortly after being crowned

the Rose of Tralee, when she was being pulled and dragged in every

direction, she made the time to visit her grandmother Eileen in Beech

Lodge Care Facility in Bruree.

And not just her granny, Róisín made time for all the residents. A

staff member took a beautiful photo (above) of Róisín giving her

grandmother a big kiss on the cheek. It is even more poignant as Eileen

passed away on Good Friday this year but she went to her God the

proudest granny in Ireland.

Attending the 2024 Rose Selections has prepared Róisín for her

handover.

“I think I can speak on behalf of most Roses in saying that we all

somewhat fear the day we have to hand over our sash. We never want to

think that the excitement of being a Rose will end.

“I am relieved to say that after attending Rose selections, I have a

new perspective on what it means to hand over your sash. We have always

been told, 'Once a Rose, always a Rose' and I don’t think I really

understood that until I watched my fellow Roses pass the torch,” she

said.

One of many highlights was an exciting photoshoot with Roses and Rose

Buds in New York in June.

“We met in the heart of Manhattan, Times Square – I think that may have

been my first time wearing my sash around Times Square, I can’t believe

it took me that long!

“After snapping a few photos we then made our way to Bryant Park and

the New York Public Library, which was just a 10-minute walk. I think

we all felt like Carrie Bradshaw in our dresses and heels strutting

around NYC.”

Róisín is pictured (above) with New York Rose successor, Billie Cooper.

Another highlight was going to the Galway Races.

“This has been a bucket list item for me since I was a little girl. I

remember seeing my cousins go to the Races, with their beautiful

dresses and fascinators, and dreamed about going one day. Never could I

have believed I would also get to go as the Rose of Tralee. I felt

like I was in an episode of Peaky Blinders watching the bookies and

wearing my fabulous fascinator.”

As her time as the 2023 Rose of Tralee comes to an end, Róisín

reflects on all of the wonderful changes in her life because of the

festival.

“I first think about the people and experiences – I continue to feel

overwhelmed with love, encouragement, and kindness. I am so blessed,

and I would not have gotten through this year without the support

system around me.

"Whether it has been the team in Tralee, my fellow Roses and Escorts,

my friends in New York, or my family, I feel like I have the best fan

club in the world and I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this.

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"I will never forget what you’ve done for me,” said Róisín, who hopes

to continue learning from this experience and to carry the confidence

that this has given her through her life.

She says there is nothing like the Rose of Tralee around the world, and

is honoured to have been an ambassador for the festival this year.

Once a Rose, always a Rose.