44 March 2015 www.womanthismonth.com PEOPLE | community A Very Irish Rose Woman This Month: Tell us a bit about the Bahrain Rose and the international competition. Anni Kavanagh: The Rose of Tralee Festival is a multi-faceted event that celebrates the many attributes of modern young Irish women. Roses are chosen by centres worldwide and in Ireland. Entrants take part in local heats to find one person to represent the centre in the final. Judges consider many different qualities including, in the words of William Mulchinock's song ‘The Rose of Tralee’, an indefinable quality that captures "the truth in her eyes". The Rose of Tralee International Festival celebrates modern young women in terms of their aspirations, ambitions, intellect, social responsibility and Irish heritage. WTM: What made you decide to get involved? AK: Watching the Rose of Tralee when I was younger was one of the highlights of the summer. The beautiful ladies, their gorgeous dresses, their party pieces and the knights in shinning armour (the escorts) – it was all very magical. I’d watch in awe as the women would take the stage in their finery and spend days afterwards dreaming about being a Rose. Given that I was a tomboy (allergic to dresses), this was a big dream. Now, having lived abroad and travelled to numerous destinations, I got involved as I am very proud of my Irish heritage and the Rose of Tralee is a big part of showcasing this heritage. Working for RCSI Bahrain and being part of the Arabian Celts showed me how strong the Irish bond is, not only with each other but the rest of the world. I knew that representing Bahrain would be an amazing opportunity to showcase this little island and its beauty, as well as representing the Irish contingent that calls the island home. WTM: How did you feel when you won? AK: I was very shocked. I knew all the other girls as most of us play Gaelic football with the Arabian Celts Gaelic football club. It was a great experience to share and, although it was a competition, we supported each other throughout. After the shock subsided, I was so happy and so proud. It was a huge honour to know I was going to represent Bahrain as the first Rose. In honour of St Patrick’s Day Woman This Month chatted to Anni Kavanagh, winner of the first Bahrain Rose contest as the competition gets ready for its second year. Anni with Irish Society chairman James Kennedy and members of The Palm Association
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