Queensland Rose Siobhan Edwards has told RTÉ Entertainment that she is "living the dream" by following in her mother Alannah's footsteps in Tralee.
Siobhan's mother, Alannah Mahony, was the 1989 Queensland Rose, but the 23-year-old from Brisbane told RTÉ Entertainment that she decided to enter "off my own bat" this year.
"Obviously, it's been such a big part of her life, and a big part of our cultural heritage, celebrating the Irish community in Australia," she said at the Rose of Tralee launch in Dublin.
"It's always been my dream to go. I see these women every year and I think, 'Oh my goodness, I would love to be in that position', and [I] decided this was definitely the year for it. And now it's a dream come true. I'm living the dream."
Siobhan recently graduated from university, studying Politics and Marketing, and is working in strategy consulting.
A "proud fourth-generation Irish Australian", whose great-grandparents were from Co Cork and Co Limerick, she is on her first visit to Ireland.
When asked what the Rose of Tralee means to her, Siobhan replied: "For me, it's always been a representation of womanhood and empowering us as women and modern Irish women.
"Especially coming over as an international girl as well, it's been such an amazing space to celebrate our Irish community and our Irish culture, when we're on the other side of the world as well.
"It creates such an amazing bond between people, and it really creates a lot of friendships and a lot of spaces to celebrate Irish history and Irish community."
She said there had been "just an instant connection" between this year's 32 Roses.
"Honestly, you come into this experience and you don't have a lot of expectations, especially as an International Rose.
"But to be able to meet all these women and just instantly mesh and have such beautiful connections already is truly an honour.
"I know I'm going to take forward so many of these friendships into my life forever. It's amazing."
"This is my first time in Ireland!" she added. "It's been really incredible. The weather has not been what I was expecting!"
The Rose of Tralee International Festival 2025, Monday and Tuesday, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, 8pm
