Rose of Tralee 2011

On the night update..!

Congratulations to Tara Talbot from Queensland, our new Rose of Tralee 2011. She was the bookies favourite and you can see why; attractive and intelligent, and with a good singing voice to boot, a natural winner who’ll wear the crown beautifully.

Tara Talbot
Queensland

Dáithí Ó Sé is in the ‘hot seat’ again this year as he hosts the TV finale for 2011, but no prob we’re sure he’s had plenty of tips from his bride to be, the 2008 New Jersey Rose Rita Talty (congratulations to you both sir!)

The festival has surged in popularity in recent years, and in 2010 RTE viewing peaked at over one million and averaged 916,300 – the highest in more than a decade. That popularity is also reflected by what must be an avalanche of visitors to the official website, slower tonight as it tries to keep up with a huge demand, so here’s the girls for 2011…

Caitlin McNeil Big Apple

Moira Sullivan Boston & New England

Siobhan Carroll Chicago

Kathryn Brennan Cork

Niamh McTague Derby

Catherine Feeney Derry

Maria McCole Donegal

Nicole Curren Down

Gráinne Boyle Dubai

Siobhéal Nic Eochaidh Dublin

Tara Keigher Edmonton

Saoirse Fitzgerald Germany

Síle Ní Dheargain Kerry

Sinead Fennell Laois

Caroline Marley London

Erin Loughran New York

Ailbhe Ryan New Zealand

Katherine Scott Ottawa

Melanie Gore Perth

Beth Keeley Philadelphia

Tara Talbot Queensland

Roisin Guihen Roscommon

Sheila Ashtiani San Francisco

Susan Gellard South Australia

Molly O'Keefe Southern California

Niamh O'Connell Sunderland

Caroline Harney Sydney

Danielle Ybarra Texas

Noirin Ryan Tipperary

Aileen Doyle Toronto

Dorothy Henggeler Washington DC

Mary Kehoe Wexford

The Rose of Tralee on Facebook

The Rose will be crowned tomorrow evening, August 23rd, and as usual we remain unbiased – wouldn’t be too upset though if it turns out to be Corks year this year!