This could be the first year that a Kerry Rose becomes the Rose of Tralee and the search is now underway to find the next Kerry Rose.

Young women throughout the county are invited to live the dream by downloading an application form to enter this year’s Kerry Rose Selection.

The 2013 Kerry Rose will represent the Kingdom at the Rose of Tralee International Festival and Rose Gathering from 14-20 August.

Newbridge Silverware, the lead sponsors of the Festival, will present the next Rose of Tralee with a range of handcrafted jewellery and homeware products. She will also receive a World Travel Prize worth €25,000 from Dublin Airport Authority, a year’s driving in a brand new car and much more.

The 2012 Rose of Tralee, Nicola McEvoy, said: “Anyone who enters a Rose selection will never regret the experience of a lifetime in which they will make life-long friends and have the best fun along the way. Becoming the Rose of Tralee was a huge added bonus to what can only be described as the most exciting year of my life.”

The Festival has connected the global Irish community in Tralee since 1959 attracting millions of festival-goers, thousands of Roses, their Escorts, families and friends, entertainers, volunteers, judges and sponsors.

This year, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, they are all invited to come for the Rose Gathering and to stay for an extended Festival to enjoy a full programme of events to help visitors reconnect with Tralee and the many people who share the same experience.

Anyone who registers to attend the Rose Gathering – email [email protected] - before March 1st will have a chance to win FREE accommodation in a four-bedroom apartment in Tralee during the week of the Festival.

The 2013 Rose of Tralee will be crowned in the Dome on Tuesday 20th August after Dáithí Ó Sé presents two wonderful nights entertainment to a huge TV audience.

The charismatic west Kerryman said that it’s easy to think about the warmth of August in this cold weather and he’s looking forward to hosting it again and seeing all the Roses return to Kerry.

Entry forms and full details of how to become the Kerry Rose are available at www.roseoftralee.ie or contact +353 66 7121322 before the approaching deadline.