THE search for our Roses got off to a great start this week with Scotland's Bríd Madigan being crowned the very first 2015 British Rose.
Centres across the country are gearing up for their heats over the next few weeks, with events in Derby (April 24) and Newcastle (April 25) this weekend.
Centres in London, Nottingham, Birmingham will chose their Rose on May 2 - the winners of which will go to the Rose of Tralee Regional Finals in Portlaoise (May 28-31) before being selcected for the main event in Kerry later in the summer.
With Scotland leading the way here last weekend, eight women competed for the coveted title of Scottish Rose.
Irish Consul General to Scotland, Pat Bourne, opened the night on Saturday at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel led in by the sound of the bagpipes.
Each Rose then took the stage to share her own unique style, character, flair, intelligence and humour to a large Irish and Scottish crowd from across the country.
But only one could be chosen to go to the semi-final in Portloaise this summer and represent the Irish Diaspora at a week-long televised festival joining hundreds from across the world in Tralee.
Primary school teacher Bríd Madigan, who was sponsored by Malones Irish Bar Edinburgh, left a lasting impression on the three judges who were impressed with her natural charm and vibrant personality, as well as her beautiful rendition of Caledonia.
Originally from Ballyneety in Co. Limerick, Bríd splits her time between living in Edinburgh and teaching at a school in Dunfermline.
“It’s all a bit overwhelming," the 24-year-old said. "Every year at home when we were younger, we would all watch the Rose of Tralee and loved every minute of it. It’s hard to describe how much this means to me."
The Mary Immaculate College graduate added: "Really, I think this will mean even more to my family. It’s fantastic to be away from home but to also able to give something back to them by representing Irish girls living away.
"I’ve been in Scotland since 2012 and I‘ve loved every minute of it. I love teaching in Dunfermline and I’ve no immediate plans to leave. It’s a beautiful country and I’m very proud to have been chosen to represent the Irish community here."
This August Roses from around the world will take part on the Rose of Tralee International Festival hosted by RTÉ's Dáithí Ó Sé.
Parades, live shows, markets and and air displays will take place throughout the four day event in Co. Kerry, with thousands flocking the streets.
Westlife, Gabrielle and James Brown have previously performed at the festival with another big name expected this year.
Festival spokesperson John Drummey said: “It’s not about becoming the Rose, it’s about being part of a life-changing experience.
"Those who have been part of previous festivals have expressed the same sentiment, saying that the other Roses are more like sisters than friends and have become life-long friends.”
The first Rose of Tralee festival was held in 1959 involving Roses from only five areas on a budget of IR£750. Today there are 68 Rose centres worldwide.
Derby is one of Britain's longest-running Rose centres.
Organiser Mary Murphy, who has been involved in the competition for 32 years, and says the judges are looking for a well-rounded individual with “personality and overall presence.”
The current rose of Tralee, Maria Walsh, has also joined the call for women in Britain to take part. “Ladies, don’t think about it, just do it,” she said.
