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For the judges tasked with selecting the next ambassador, the Rose of Tralee is an intensive, five-day journey filled with challenges, deliberations, and moments of inspiration.&nbsp;
One such judge, Galway’s Ollie Turner, shares his unique perspective on this year's selection process for the coveted title.
Having served on the judging panel at the International Rose of Tralee selection last year, the FG County Councillor and Galway Bay FM stalwart was no stranger to the demanding schedule.&nbsp;
<h4>A Daunting Task:</h4>
"Being asked to be a judge at the International Rose of Tralee selection last year gave me insight into the rigorous process. The task of choosing one ambassador from 32 incredible young women is daunting," he explained.
Alongside our own Ollie Turner, the judging panel this year was a distinguished group, featuring TV personality Nuala Carey representing sponsors and broadcast partners RTE, internationally renowned fashion designer and Kerry native Don O'Neill, and former Rose of Tralee Luzveminda (Mindy) O'Sullivan, who took on the role of chairperson.&nbsp;
The team convened on Friday afternoon at the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee, where they received a detailed briefing from Anthony O'Gara, CEO of the Rose of Tralee, and Steve Cronly, Operations Manager for the Festival.
The first encounter with the 32 Roses took place that evening at the opening ceremony held at the Island of Geese in Tralee Town. This open-air amphitheatre was abuzz with excitement as dignitaries, including Mayor of Tralee Mikey Sheehy and Minister for Education Norma Foley, welcomed the Roses.

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&nbsp;"It was at this point that the 'judging' process began," Ollie recalled.&nbsp;
"We familiarised ourselves with the girls and the Rose Centres they represented, whether from Ireland or overseas."
Saturday marked the beginning of the intensive interview process. Over the course of the day, the judges conducted individual interviews with 22 Roses at the Meadowlands Hotel.&nbsp;
"As in any interview situation, when you meet someone for the first time, the judges were anxious to put the girls at ease," Ollie noted, adding that Don O'Neill, known as the resident 'hugger,' played a key role in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The interviews delved into the Roses' journeys to Tralee, their work, family backgrounds, and personal interests.&nbsp;
The panel sought out qualities that embodied the spirit of the Rose of Tralee.&nbsp;
“As each girl in turn sat in front of us, we tried to imagine her as the Rose of Tralee,” he continued.&nbsp;
"In particular, we looked for someone who, as in the words of the song, had a 'truth in her eyes,'" Ollie shared.&nbsp;
"We wanted to find someone true to themselves, who understood the responsibilities of being the Rose of Tralee, and who had a real spark or 'wow' factor when they entered the room."
<h4>A Tough Process:</h4>
On Sunday, the remaining 10 Roses were interviewed, followed by group discussions at the Ashe Hotel in Tralee town.&nbsp;
“Mindy was anxious as Chairperson to start the process of whittling the contenders down to a more manageable number,” he said.&nbsp;
The judges divided the Roses into groups of eight and observed as they discussed topics like the relevance of the Rose of Tralee and the importance of climate change.&nbsp;
"There was no interference from the judges," Ollie emphasised.&nbsp;
"We simply sat back and watched the interactions. We noticed the girls who went out of their way to bring others into the debate. That was important. We were looking for everyone to contribute and not for one person to dominate the discussion."
By Monday evening, the judges had a shortlist of five Roses who stood out, but they remained open to surprises.&nbsp;
"We had a couple of others that we felt could jump back into contention with a really strong performance on stage," Ollie explained.&nbsp;
The running order, determined by RTE, added to the anticipation, leaving some decisions until the very last moment.
Throughout the process, the panel kept their focus on finding the best possible ambassador for the Rose of Tralee.&nbsp;
“We always kept thinking of the girl that would do the best job for the next 12 months,” he said.&nbsp;
"Geography didn't come into it. We were looking for someone to follow in the footsteps of Roisin Wiley from New York, who was universally acknowledged as one of the best Roses ever.”
In the end, it was gut instinct that guided their final decision. The panel chose Keely O'Grady, the New Zealand Rose, who had consistently impressed them at every stage.&nbsp;
"The New Zealand Rose had made a huge impression right from the start," Ollie recalled.&nbsp;
"When she came out on stage at the end of Night 1 wearing a traditional Maori outfit, she spoke of her pride in representing all New Zealanders. Her smile, spirit, and maturity beyond her years marked her out. The outstanding Irish dancing performance was an added bonus."
Reflecting on the experience, Ollie acknowledged the challenges but also the rewards of the selection process.&nbsp;
"As judges, selecting a Rose of Tralee is a really difficult job, but the process is so thorough that the festival normally ends up with an exceptional ambassador. In our opinion, Keely O'Grady is that."

Galway's Ollie Turner on Selecting the 2024 Rose of Tralee

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