Westmeath Rose to feature on tonight's coverage of Rose of Tralee Festival

Westmeath Rose Rachel Duffy will be interviewed by Dáithí Ó Sé in tonight's coverage of the International Rose of Tralee Festival.

The Festival will be televised (tonight) Monday, August 22 and Tuesday, August 23 at 8pm on RTÉ One from the new location at Munster Technological University’s Kerry Sports Academy.

The Rosemount native will be singing the famous, traditional song 'Teddy O'Neill' in Tralee for the final. Rachel said: "I am a little bit nervous but the practice I’ve had singing at various events during my time as the Westmeath Rose has helped me become more comfortable in front of a crowd. To be honest I’m trying not to think about it too much, I will cross that hurdle when I come to it."

The NUIG graduate has attended a host of events as the Westmeath Rose representative ever since donning the special sash last April. She teamed up with An Garda Siochána for the national Go Purple Day campaign to raise funds for those suffering from domestic violence. She was also asked by Westmeath Comhaltas to perform at an event recently and at the Gig Rig at Mullingar Fleadh.

The 62nd staging of the competition will return for the first time following a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The festival has returned with new rules this year to reflect a more 'diverse and inclusive' cultural event. Married women can enter the festival for the first time along with transgender women and the maximum age for entries has been raised to 29.