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

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.