Rose of Tralee Selection Set for April 19

Applications for the 2013 Northern Ohio Rose of Tralee are closed and the city is readying for the selection of this year’s Northern Ohio Rose at LaCentre on April 19.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland's largest and longest running festivals. The heart of the festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to County Kerry, Ireland for a global celebration of Irish culture.

Westlake will host the Northern Ohio winner.

While overseas, the Northern Ohio winner will join other semi-finalists from North America, travel the countryside, meet Irish officials and heads of state and be wined and dined at premier restaurants.

Winners who are selected at the Regional Finals in Portlaoise will advance to the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland Aug. 14- 20.

The 2012 Northern Ohio Rose was Ashley Speaker.

In 2009, Westlake became a sister city of Tralee through the Sister Cities International program. The nonprofit organization helps to create partnerships in an effort to exchange information and ideas.

Council President Michael Killeen said the mayor of Tralee will be in Westlake for the festivities, and will attend a council meeting on April 18 along with his wife. Also in attendance will be Nelson Santos, the mayor of Kingsville, Ontario. Westlake became a Sister City of Kingsville in 2012. 

“Westlake World Partners put this together to enhance sister city program,” Killeen said.

Later in the year, a Westlake teacher will exchange with a teacher from Tralee, allowing both cities an opportunity to share cultures.

“It makes sense to do that at the educational level,” Killeen said.

Westlake World Partners Co. sponsors the program and will fund the trip, in part, through the fundraiser at LaCentre.

Tickets are now available for the April 19. Tickets to the Selection Celebration can be requested here.
Sponsorship opportunities for the Northern Ohio Rose Selection Celebration at LaCentre are also available by clicking here.

Tralee is a smaller-than-Westlake city previously visited by councilman Michael O’Donnell.

“It’s a beautiful place,” O’Donnell said. “No trip is complete without a trip to Tralee.”