Aoife, with her proud parents John & Margaret on stage following her selection as Galway Rose on Saturday night June 21st in the Oyster Manor Clarinbridge ......................................... Bouquet by Branch Flowers

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The 2003 Galway Rose Selection is the 30th in the long history of the Rose of Tralee in Galway and the West of Ireland.

The Gala Banquet took place in the Ardilaun House Hotel in Taylors Hill, one of the most desired locations in Galway for various functions such as weddings etc. The Rose contestants enjoyed the comforts of this establishment on June 20th and relaxed in the pleasant surroundings, including the extensive garden during the glorious evening, as they awaited their turn for the private interview with the Judges.

The Gala Banquet is now recognised as one of the greatest glamour fun events of the year in Galway and plays host to young ladies and their families, friends, organisers and sponsors from all over the province of Connacht. It is a sell out every year and this year was no exception.

The Judges for 2003 were: Sean Moriarty - a former Chairman of the Limerick Rose Committee, Mary Murphy, Oranmore – a member of the Galway Organising Committee, Luzveminda O’Sullivan – the 1998 Galway Rose of Tralee, Ursula Owens – Galway Irish Spring Water and Declan Varley - Editor of the Galway Advertiser.

The Stage Presentation of the Roses took place in the spacious and comfortable Oyster Manor Clarinbridge on the following night – June 21st. The 7.00 p.m. start allowed for a full night of fabulous fun, craic and entertainment. Sheila Lawlor, herself a former Rose of Tralee winner compered and did a professional job.

Before the annoucement of the winner Sean Moriarty Chairperson of the Judging panel expressed the opinions of the Judges by remarking that the standard of all the Roses was of the very highest quality and exceptionally talented.

There was wild excitement and a tremendous atmosphere in the spacious complex, when Sean Moriarty announced before a capacity crowd, that twenty four year old Aoife Mulholland from Salthill was the new Galway Rose. She was sponsored in the competition by the Grafton Hair and Beauty Salon Salthill.