Roses bloom on fabulous Longford tour

Summer 2023 may not go down in memory as the epitome of the season, but the visit of the 2023 Rose Tour brought a ray of sunshine to Longford.

From just after one o'clock last Monday the crowd began to gather on the steps of St Mel's Cathedral. When the Rose bus rolled onto the plaza of the iconic building there was an expectant buzz as the very first cluster of Rose of Tralee contestants pulled into the county town.

Local girl Grace Kemple alighted from the bus to a surge from the crowd. A voice cried: “A big cheer for Grace,” and the swell of approval was overwhelming.

Aside from the local politic representatives there were lots of mothers and daughters in the gathering. The Roses mingled, chatted and had their picture taken with an adoring crowd.

The young women were then escorted into the 19th Century building that has become a symbol of hope and rebirth.

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Speaking to the Leader about the visit Anthony O'Gara, Executive Chair of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, said including Longford on the 2023 Rose Tour meant something special to him.

Anthony may have been raised on the other side of the Shannon, but he has close ties to Longford. He was a pupil of St Mel's College, so the imposing vista of the cathedral is nothing new to him: “It's good to give Longford an opportunity to be in the spotlight. Many's the time I was here in St Mel's Cathedral growing up. It's such an institution in this part of the world.

“My wife, Oonagh Dunne, was raised in the shadow of this building. To have the International Roses from all over the world, from New Zealand to Canada and everywhere in between, visit and spread the word about Longford is a very nice thing.”

This was the second stop on the ladies' Longford stop over. St Mel's Cathedral has been a feature of the county for a century and three quarters. The location the Roses attended prior to Longford town is considerably more recent: “They were in Center Parcs this morning,” Anthony explained, “They were given a great welcome. They were out cycling, and in the spa. They were amazed that Longford, which is not typically considered a traditional tourism location, had this hub of tourism in the centre of it. A place that has seen a €250M investment. It's a great example of what can be achieved with the right spirit.”

The visits to Center Parcs, the Royal Canal Greenway and St Mel's Cathedral occupied the earlier part of the day, with the group finishing their Longford tour at the Knights and Conquests Heritage Centre, Granard and Midland Karting Edgeworthstown. The locations were selected to show the array of tourism gems in the county.

Leading the visiting girls on a tour of her home is the 2023 Longford Rose: “It's a huge thing for Longford Rose, Grace, and indeed her family, neighbours and friends. It really is massively exciting for her. To become an International Rose is a big deal. Any year there are only 32 in the world. It will open up a whole new world for her.

“She will become fast friends with all the other Roses. She will meet escorts from all over the world. For years they will visit each other, they will have reunions and will remember the time they had in 2023 when they travelled around Ireland together,” Anthony says.

WATCH | Longford Rose Grace Kemple reflects on emotional and historic official Rose of Tralee tour of her native county

There is a professionalism to the manner in which the young ladies engage with the public. The Executive Chair of the Rose of Tralee International Festival says the business end of the annual event is yet to kick off.

“They don't meet a judge until they get to Tralee,” Anthony says, “Judging really isn't the best way to put it. You have 32 great representatives from Irish communities from different parts of the world. There are a few people in Tralee who have to assess who is going to be the ambassador for that class for the year. It's not an interview, it's not an application for an Executive position, it's not a beauty contest.

“They are ordinary people. Ordinary people plucked from ordinary lives and who will be going back to them in a week's time. It's a huge opportunity for them. They are in a group that distils the camaraderie and friendship. When they get off the bus and get into a town they are just being themselves.”

Among the crowd on the steps of the cathedral were local elected representatives and council officials. Cathaoirleach of the County Council Colm Murray and Longford MD Cathaoirleach, Martin Monaghan greeted the visitors.

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The Roses were given details of the €30 million restoration project that took five years to complete. Chairman of St Mel's Cathedral Project Committee, Cllr Seamus Butler, was also on hand. Commenting on the uniqueness of the day, Cllr Butler said: “When we set about restoring the Cathedral we could never have envisioned welcoming a contingent from the Rose of Tralee.”

The 2023 Rose Tour was sponsored by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and will conclude on arrival to Tralee this Friday, 18 August, for the 2023 Rose of Tralee International Festival.

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