YOU don’t need to win the Lotto to be treated like a Princess, but any young woman who enters the 2011 Monaghan Rose selection will get the royal treatment and be in with a chance to become the Rose of Tralee. 

A €25,000 world travel prize fund, the use of a brand new car for the year, a treasure trove of Newbridge Jewellery and a chance to become an Ambassador for Monaghan and Ireland await the next Rose of Tralee.

The 2010 Monaghan Rose, Noelle Clerkin, said: “To have been chosen as the Monaghan Rose was the most exciting thing imaginable and from the moment I was selected I threw myself 100% into the role. Putting together the wardrobe was great fun and I got a lot of help from many local businesses. I was invited to many events, most of them fundraisers for very worthwhile projects.” 

The 2010 International Rose of Tralee Clare Kambamettu, took time out of her busy schedule of TV appearances, Radio interviews and press releases to launch the search for the 2011 Monaghan Rose at the Patrick Kavanagh Centre in Inniskeen on Wednesday the 9^th of March.

Clare was joined at the launch by our very own Rose Noelle Clerkin, the Mayor of Carrickmacross Town Council, P.J O’Hanlon, the Monaghan Rose centre co-ordinators and Steve Cronley from the International Rose of Tralee Festival. The 2010 Rose of Tralee was welcomed to county Monaghan by the fantastic local traditional musicians, organised by Sean Walsh and Vera Keys. We would like to thank Sean, Vera and the musicians and also the Patrick Kavanagh Centre for their entertainment and superb facilities.

Clare is encouraging young ladies between the ages of 18 and 27 to enter the 2011 Rose of Tralee. Since she was crowned the 52nd Rose of Tralee last August, Clare Kambamettu has enjoyed the most incredible year of her life: “The opportunities that have presented themselves to me have been life changing and I have made friends for life. The events I attended were amazing and I have already had an opportunity to return to India, my father’s native country. I would encourage every girl to enter the search for the Rose in every county - no matter how far you get in the process, you can be assured it will be a memorable experience.” 

Local businesses, sports organisations and professional groupings are being invited to take part in what promises to be a memorable Monaghan Rose selection event and application forms are now available fromwww.roseoftralee.ie, monaghanrose@gmail.com  and from the Monaghan Rose Centre on 0872529503.The closing date for applications is the 31st March.

The 2011 County Monaghan Rose of Tralee will be selected on Easter Saturday Night, the 23^rdof April at the Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Town. Ticket details will be available soon. This year’s selection promises to kick start your Easter weekend by supporting your Rose and Escort followed with entertainment by local band Beatroot.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival has successfully connected the global Irish community since 1959 and it continues to draw strength from local communities throughout Ireland. 

Could there be a fairytale ending for the 2011 Monaghan Rose when the 2011 Rose of Tralee is crowned on Tuesday 23^rd August in the Festival Dome live on RTÉ 1 television?

The Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from 19^th to 23^rd August 2011, while the Irish Regional Finals will take place in Portlaoise from June 3^rd to 6^th 2011.