Two autistic women have spoken of their pride at competing for the 2023 Rose of Tralee crown.
Limerick Rose Molli-Ann O'Halloran and South Australia Rose Charlotte Burton were among the 32 women from Ireland and around the world who met the media at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin this morning.
Ms Burton, a 27-year-old multi-disciplinary artist from Adelaide, said: "I used to feel so ashamed and embarrassed of my disability but now I'm really proud to be able to represent my community.
"I am representing the young girls out there with autism who may feel a bit weird, a bit unseen, and showing them that you really can achieve and feel included in whatever you want to do in life."
Ms O'Halloran, 19, works in Bunratty Castle as an Irish traditional singer.
She said: "I think it's unreal that the Rose of Tralee has given me a platform to show that every single girl here is different and we're all different in our own ways and we're all very well able.
"I've heard from a couple of people who had kids with autism and it's nice to be able to see that there are mams looking at you, saying 'my daughter could do that'."
The five-day Rose of Tralee International Festival, which gets under way on Friday, is one of Ireland’s largest and longest running festivals.
Kathryn Thomas and Dáithí Ó Sé will make history as the first ever joint presenters of RTÉ’s coverage.
They will be broadcasting live from the Kerry Sports Academy at the Munster Technological University (MTU) on 21 and 22 August on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
