Saturday, Jimmy Lowney, who gave up his day to drive the girls to Glengarriff to Bernard Harringtons in O’Donoghue’s Bus, where they had light refreshments.  They then called into Thady’s Bar (affiliate sponsor) Adrigole to say hello before heading towards Allihies to Kevin O’Neill’s Bar & Restaurant where they dined.  They were then brought back to Cametringane Hotel, on to The Usual, O’Donoghues, Skipper’s Bar in the Beara Bay – popping into Twomeys (another affiliate sponsor) before dancing the night away at the Beacon’s Niteclub in the Beara Bay Hotel. 

Sunday morning, following breakfast in the Bakery Café, they rested before participating the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  They were then individually interviewed by the Judging Panel, which consisted of: Jackie Lomasney & Michael Downey, representing Murphy’s SuperValu, (Main Sponsor), Aidan McGurn, McGurn Construction (Sponsor), and Bea Duffy & Sean O’Brien, finalist and winner of RTE’s Treasure Island.  Following the interviews, everyone dined at Cametringane Hotel before the climax of the weekend – The Final Selection – at the Beara Bay.  Larry Lawless, owner of the Beara Bay kindly gave this night takings towards the event, plus accommodating all the girls and some of the Judging Panel in his newly refurbished Hotel. 

Colman O’Sullivan, Chairman welcomed everyone and introduced Paudie Palmer of 103FM County Sound fame, who interviewed each girl on stage, where they gave the audience fantastic entertainment.  Each girl now had an escort to look after her, who were all dressed very handsomely and added to the event.  After the last girl was interviewed, the judges left to determine who should represent Beara in Cork’s Final Heat for the Rose of Tralee.  During this time, Phil Murphy from Castletownbere’s Day Care Centre, the beneficiary of this event, helped with the distribution of raffle prizes – most of which were donated towards the cause.  The Judging Panel returned and Paudie Palmer re-introduced them while Dawn Minehane presented them with a token piece of Cork Crystal as a thank-you for giving of their time to this event.  Next, he recalled each contestant onto the stage, where Mary Martin-Sullivan presented each one with a Cork Crystal memento of the occasion. 

Finally, Paudie Palmer called on Sean O’Brien and Bea Duffy on to the stage to announce the winner.  Sean went on to explain that they had a very difficult task and that their final decision went to Laura Lowney who represented The Brown Derby.  All the other girls hugged and wished her well while Bea Duffy presented her with the Beara Rose Sash 2003, her Tiara and a bouquet of Flowers – given from Paradise Flowers, Bantry.  She also won a €300 cheque, sponsored by United Beverages, a €300 Voucher from Havanna Boutique, Cork, her entry fee of €500 to the Cork Final, sponsored by McGurn Construction and a piece of Fine Art, sponsored by Jimmy Barry Motors, Bantry.  Laura is daughter of John Gerard & Mary (nee Regan) of Ardgroom.

On Monday morning, the girls said their good-byes at breakfast at Murphy’s Restaurant and looked forward to linking up again and to next year’s event.

The committee, which consisted of Chairman: Colman Frank O’Sullivan, Secretaries, Mary Martin-Sullivan & Carol Manning, Treasurers, Seamus Harrington & Patrick G. Murphy and hard-working committee members of Dawn Minehane, Paudie B. O’Sullivan, Gary Lowney and Killian Martin-Sullivan, would like to thank everyone who made this event happen, especially the Roses themselves, without which there would be no event, their sponsors, Main Sponsors Beara Bay Hotel and Murphy’s SuperValu, Castletownbere plus the many many more sponsors who gave so generously and everyone who helped in any way.  A special mention to John Murphy, who photographed the event, Michael O’Sullivan on video, the doormen of Patrick Murphy and Denis Regan and the bouncers from the Beara Bay.  All the proceeds will go towards the Castletownbere Day Care Centre. 

All that is now left is to wish Laura Lowney all the best at the Cork Final.  We know she will do Beara proud.