Fermanagh Rose Anne-Marie Foster will find out this week-end if she has made it through to the International Rose of Tralee Festival to be held at the end of August.
The Lisnaskea girl and a contingent of 40 supporters will travel to Portlaoise tomorrow for the weekend long event. She will appear on stage on Friday night and, following her interview will sing 'Fields of Gold' as her party piece. The winner will then be announced on Saturday night.
It's an occasion the McElwaine Group secretary is looking forward to: "It looks like it's going to be a really good weekend. I've been chatting a number of the other Roses, so I'm really looking forward to it now."
The Irish Regional Final is held every year before the Rose of Tralee International Festival to determine which Irish Roses represent their counties at the International Final.
The event was established in 2005 in recognition of the fact that now, every county in Ireland selects a Rose.
This year, the Final will take place at the Heritage Hotel, from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th June . Hosted by Today FM's Ray D'Arcy, the final selection chooses six Roses from those representing counties throughout Ireland.
All Roses who take part have won Rose Selection heats in their own counties, including the Fódhla Rose who represents Ireland's Irish-speaking Gaeltacht areas. The six Roses selected join Roses from Dublin, Cork, and Kerry to go through to the International Festival. This makes a total of nine Roses from counties in Ireland represented at the International Final.
Since being crowned the Fermanagh Rose at the start of May, Anne-Marie says her main duties have been in preparing for the week-end ahead.
"It has been grand so far. I haven't had to do too much other than try and get ready for the Regional Finals. It is running from Thursday to Sunday, so I need to have outfits sorted for both the day and evening events. The prize fund from the Fermanagh heat (1,000 euro) has covered much of that.
"I have also being keeping in touch with Catriona (Fermanagh organiser) and last year's winner Aisling Reihill who has advised me, 'be yourself, there is nothing else you can do' ".
Anne-Marie attended the Regional Festival launch in Dublin three weeks ago when she had the opportunity to meet up with her host, Ray D'Arcy as well the other hopefuls, and hear more of what can be expected come tomorrow.
"We have been told that we will all meet up on the Thursday with the other Roses. That evening we will be entertained by Canadian comedian, Des Bishop.
"There will be interviews on Fridays and a visit to all the local attractions. I'm on stage that night, so I will be getting ready for that. I can relax more on Saturday night. Then there is a leavers' lunch on Sunday."
No matter what the result, Anne-Marie is delighted to be acting as an ambassador for the county.
"It has been great. Since I won people who would know that I work here have been calling in to offer their congratulations and support."
