Six women with Irish roots living in Luxembourg will be vying to represent the Grand Duchy in Ireland’s Rose of Tralee competition celebrating their heritage as part of a worldwide event.

Irish communities all over the world are in the process of selecting their Roses to compete for the final title awarded in the town of Tralee in County Kerry. Founded in the 1950s as a way to bring expats back to their hometown, the event has since become a global phenomenon and winners have gone on to meet US presidents and other dignitaries.

Six women are competing to represent Luxembourg at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August. The Grand Duchy’s entrant will be selected at the Luxembourg Rose Ball on 17 May.

The 22-year-old student has an Irish mother and Dutch father but grew up in Luxembourg. She is studying for a master’s degree in communications, media and creative industries at Sciences Po university in Paris.

Claire was born in Luxembourg to an Irish mother and Dutch father. The 23-year-old studied law in Montpellier before setting off on an Erasmus exchange in Cork, Ireland.

The 25-year-old was raised in Luxembourg with roots in Castlemartyr, Cork and France. She studied in the south of France and Alabama, USA, learning to blend different cultures while staying true to her Irish roots.

Born in Dublin and raised in Ashbourne, County Meath, the 27-year-old graduate in European studies and international politics initially planned to stay in Luxembourg for five months, but has since embraced the country’s multiculturalism, quality of life and Irish community.

The 28-year-old graduate in applied languages and translation studies works for the European Commission. She has always been interested in languages and communications, which has influenced both her career and personal interests.

The 24-year-old from County Kilkenny studied financial mathematics at the University of Limerick. She moved to Luxembourg in 2023 where she works in technology. She also plays camogie and enjoys Irish dancing.

The Roses in April met with Irish Ambassador Jean McDonald and completed a trip to Clervaux © Photo credit: Daniel Frank

The Luxembourg Rose will be selected during the Rose Ball before finalists from around the world meet in Tralee for the international festival, which takes place from 15 to 19 August and culminates in the televised finale.

Updates on the Luxembourg Roses and information on how to buy tickets for the ball are available via Facebook and Instagram.

Luxembourg Rose Nicola McEvoy in 2012 won the international crown. The European School teacher sang La Vie En Rose during the talent round and as part of her responsibilities under the title met with US President Barack Obama in the White House.

This year marks the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic that Luxembourg is participating in the competition.