Irish cream: Blooming roses

"It’s not a beauty contest at all, it is all about personality, a good all-rounder," said Deirdre McCarthy, chief judge of Dubai Rose, an event organised for and by members of the Irish community in Dubai.

The annual event is part of a bigger festival known as the Rose of Tralee organised annually in Ireland involving participation of Irish women from all over the world. Preparations for the 15th annual Rose Ball are reaching fever pitch as judges and contestants get ready for the big day on May 23 due to take place at the Westin Hotel.

Fresh from her first formal get-together with other contestants, Siobhan O’Callaghan, one of the participants, said, "I wanted to take part in it for years so when I found out about it I decided to make the most of the opportunity." Speaking about the ball she added, "I think it is going to be an unbelievable night. I just learnt about the plans and I feel it’s going to be a fantastic event. A huge night. Great craic! All the participating girls are so nice."

A panel of judges comprising prominent members of Dubai’s Irish society will assess the potential Roses through a selection process including a series of interviews, one informal cocktail event and a progressive dinner, all held at the Westin Hotel in the weeks leading up to the main event on May 23.

Deirdre McCarthy, chief judge, said, "We look at different areas, mainly personality, manners, grooming, how they sit, react and interact in public. We interview them formally and also observe them socially at an informal get-together. On the day of the ball, a known personality from Ireland will conduct a fun interview where each girl will go up on the stage and answer questions about themselves and perhaps present a party piece which could be a poem or a song."

Going on fifty

This year’s Dubai Rose will also play host to a breast cancer awareness campaign. As the Rose of Tralee International Festival (Ireland) approaches the celebration of 50 years ‘in bloom’ in 2009, it continues to increase the number of Rose of Tralee Centres throughout the world.Connecting the Irish community globally is the core of this spectacular event.