The ‘Rose of Dubai’ is an annual event organised by the Irish community in Dubai in which they select a girl to attend the ‘Rose of Tralee’ contest in Ireland. Aileen McCarthy, last year’s winner, goes down memory lane as she urges other young women to take part in the contest on May 23.

The “Rose of Tralee” International Festival in Ireland will celebrate 50 years “in bloom” in 2009. The idea of the contest was to find a girl who lives up to the ideals of “Mary,” the original rose commemorated in the famous Irish ballad that gave the festival its name. The “Rose of Dubai” is thus an annual event organised by the Irish community in Dubai in which they select a girl to attend the “Rose of Tralee” event in Ireland.

The ‘Rose of Dubai’ contest is not just about selecting a girl to attend a beauty pageant. She must be of good character, truthful, friendly and a good listener. Being lovely and fair is of course a bonus. Thus, though the event is local, it selects a candidate for a global event,” says Aileen McCarthy, last year’s winner. She is a Dubai resident for over three years and works in Asset Management for a major private developer IFA Hotels and Resorts.

Read more of this article, Journey of a Rose, BY SUCHITRA STEVEN SAMUEL, Khaleej Times