Apply

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Am I eligible to apply?
To apply to be a Rose, all applicants must:
a) Be 18 years of age by January 1st, 2027 and will not have reached your 30th birthday on or prior to the following September 1st, 2027.
b)Be female or identify as female.
c) Be born in Ireland, be an Irish citizen or be of Irish origin by virtue of at least one of your ancestors having been born in Ireland. Traditionally, most of our applicants qualify as being of Irish descent.
d) Ideally, you should have lived in Ohio for a minimum of one year and recommend that if selected as the Rose that you will remain an Ohio resident for the following 12 months.
e) Never have previously represented any Centre as a Rose in the Regional Festival or International Rose of Tralee Selection.
f) Be available for Ohio Rose Selection events and if selected be available for the Regional Festival and International Festival events.

Are there fees to apply?
a) Yes, there is a $50 Individual Application Fee and a $100 Sponsorship Fee.
b) Each Rose Applicant is asked to seek out a sponsor. This can be a business or sponsor with or without Irish affiliation. The sponsorship will be recognized in several ways, including in our program, on the website, and on the sash of the sponsored participant. If an applicant has any issues with obtaining a sponsor or meeting the Application Fee requirement, please contact the Ohio Centre at: info@ohiorose.com.

What is the Selection process?
Throughout Ohio Rose events, a panel of judges will consider many different attributes including, in the words of William Mulchinock’s song “The Rose of Tralee,” an indefinable quality that captures “the truth in her eyes.” The Rose of Tralee International Festival celebrates modern young women in terms of their aspirations, ambitions, intellect, social responsibility and Irish heritage. (text from roseoftralee.ie).

When do I need to be available for the Rose Selection?
a) All applicants are asked to be available the weekend of April 2nd-3rd, 2027  for judging and social activities planned. In addition, we ask that the new 2027 Ohio Rose will be available for part of the day on Sunday, April 4th for media engagement.
b) If selected as the 2027 Ohio Rose, you will need to be available for travel the Rose of Tralee Tour and International Festival, in August 2027 (start date to be flexible as the International Festival sets calendar of events). Be sure to plan extra days before and after for travel! In addition, you may be called upon for other travel for regional events.

What happens if I am selected as the 2027 Ohio Rose?
a) After being chosen here in Ohio, you will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Rose of Tralee International Festival (Roses are expected in August on dates TBD –  dates are subject to change per the discretion of the International Rose of Tralee Festival). Prior to your trip, the Ohio Centre will help you make preparations. You will participate in a busy schedule of activities culminating in the selection of the 2027 International Rose of Tralee.
b) In addition to the trip, a donation will be made to a charity of your choice. As the 2027 Ohio Rose, you will represent the Ohio Rose Centre at various festivals, parades, and social events starting with the Saint Patrick’s Day activities and Parade. This is also an opportunity for you to take ownership in helping to nurture the Ohio Centre program as have our Roses of prior years.