Bray Woman Named Wicklow Rose 2007

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Bray Woman Named Wicklow Rose 2007

Thursday, April 12 2007

Bray woman, Lisa Marie Berry, has been named as Wicklow Rose 2007, sponsored by Wicklow Times, at a Gala Ceremony held last Wednesday in the Marriott Druids Glen Hotel, Newtownmountkennedy.

Lisa Marie will represent the Garden County at the Rose of Tralee Regional Finals in June, being held in Limerick, with the opportunity of going on to represent Wicklow at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August. Lisa Marie was presented with the Perpetual Wicklow Rose Tiara by reigning International Rose of Tralee, Kathryn Feeney, along with outgoing Wicklow Rose, Lyndsay White. Kathryn Feeney flew in especially from Brisbane, Australia, for this year’s Wicklow Rose Gala Ceremony.

The new County Wicklow Rose is a 20 year-old student from Little Bray. Currently studying at UCD, Lisa Marie was sponsored in the competition by Jerry Moloney of Bray-based firm, MT Cabs. Speaking after her win, Lisa Marie said her win meant the world to her. “I am absolutely delighted and so happy to have been selected as the County Wicklow Rose. All the contestants who took part are winners. I promise to go to the Rose of Tralee and not only represent my county as well as my home in Little Bray, but to also represent each of the contestants from all over Wicklow who took part in this year’s event,” Lisa Marie commented.

As well as the honour of representing Wicklow in the Rose of Tralee Pageant, Lisa Marie wins a magnificent prize pack that includes €1,000, a selection of Newbridge Silverware jewellery, a one-week introduction to Personal Fitness from New You Fitness, a specially-designed dress by designer Anne Gregory to be worn at the regional finals in June, and the magnificent sterling silver handcrafted Wicklow Rose Perpetual Tiara created by Adrian Fitzgibbon of Fitzgibbon Jewellers.

A total of 17 contestants from all across County Wicklow took part in this year's competition, going for the title of Wicklow Rose 2007. Judging was conducted by an expert panel that included Wicklow Times Promotions Manager and Adjudication Chairperson, Geraldine Nelson, legendary veteran star of stage and screen, Gladys Sheehan, and 2004 Dublin Rose and Wicklow resident Joanna Cullen. Each of the contestants underwent individual interviews as well as group judging, before taking to the stage tonight in front of hundreds of supporters for interviews and the obligatory party pieces – from dancing and poetry to piano and song. The Gala Wicklow Rose Show, compeered by MC Brendan Hennessy, was presented by Wicklow Times in association with Marriott Druids Glen Hotel.

Speaking after the Gala Wicklow Rose Show, Shay Fitzmaurice, Publisher of Wicklow Times, commented: “Wicklow Times is County Wicklow’s largest and best-read newspaper, and as such we are extremely proud to sponsor the 2007 Wicklow Rose pageant.

“We have been privileged to meet many wonderful Wicklow Roses, all of whom embody that indefinable and magical quality that personifies the Rose of Tralee.

Tonight is a landmark evening in the lives of all the 17 contestants, as well as for their family, friends and sponsors. For many, it’s the culmination of years of one day wishing – “some day I want to be a Rose”.

“Each of our contestants this year has been a magnificent Rose and we are extremely proud that so many wonderful Roses bloom here in our Garden County. Now, we send our best wishes to our new Wicklow Rose, Lisa Marie Berry, as she takes up her duties as Rose Ambassador for County Wicklow, as well as th wishes of the entire county as she embarks on her journey to the Rose of Tralee Regional Finals, and we are sure, to the Finals of the International Festival in August.”

Many County Wicklow dignitaries were among the 300-plus friends, family and supporters that attended tonight’s ceremony and show in the Druids Glen Marriott Hotel. They included Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Joe Behan; Wicklow County Manager Eddie Sheehy; Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Dick Roche TD; Cathaoirleach of Bray Town Council Cllr Anne Egan and Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Brid Collins; Mayor of Greystones Cllr Derek Mitchell; Deputies Liz McManus and Billy Timmins; Vice-Chairman of Wicklow Tourism Cllr Tom Fortune; Vice-President of Bray Chamber Eugene Finnegan; representatives of Greystones Town Council and Arklow Town Council; elected councillors from across Wicklow and selected candidates in the forthcoming general election.

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