The search is on for the next Rose of Tralee

The search for the 2023 International Rose of Tralee and Rose Escort of the Year has officially begun.

With rose selections taking place across 32 centres nationally and worldwide, 2022 Rose of Tralee Rachel Duffy, RTÉ Rose of Tralee presenter Daithí Ó Sé and Rose Escort of the Year Shane McHugh have officially launched the search for the 2023 International Rose of Tralee.

The 2022 Kerry Rose, Éadaein O’Connell, from Glenderry, Ballyheigue was also on hand to welcome Rachel Duffy back to the Kingdom and launch the search for this year's Roses. It took place by the Rose of Tralee statue in the Rose Garden in Tralee Town Park. The statue is a tribute to the original Rose of Tralee, Mary O'Connor, along with her beloved, William Pembroke Mulchinock.

The 2023 Rose of Tralee International

Festival will take place from August 18 to 22.

Over the coming months, Rose of Tralee regional selections will take place in towns and cities across Ireland, and all over the world.

"The one thing I can say to any young woman interested is ‘go for it and apply!’

The Rose of Tralee International Festival has truly been the most incredible experience so far and it's a brilliant opportunity to connect with other women and represent your community on a national stage. I am so grateful for all the lifelong friends and memories I have made on this journey. I wouldn’t change a thing,” Rachel said.

If you think you’d like to take part and become a Rose or Rose Escort, simply visit www.roseoftralee.ie for more information on how to start your own Rose journey.

Applications are now open at www.roseoftralee.ie.

In addition to food sources, vitamin D supplements are recommended for everyone. The report issued by the FSAI’s Scientific Committee 'Vitamin D: Scientific Recommendations for 5 to 65 Year Olds Living in Ireland' details the health consequences of vitamin D deficiency, which mainly affect bone health (rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults).

The publication describes foods that help to meet vitamin D requirements, including foods naturally rich in vitamin D such as oily fish, meats, and eggs, and vitamin D-fortified foods.

For healthy children (5-11 years) a daily vitamin D supplement containing 10 µg (400 IU) should be taken during extended winter (end of October to March) for those of fair-skinned ethnicity and throughout the full year for those of darker-skinned ethnicity.

For healthy teenagers and adults (12-65 years) a daily vitamin D supplement containing 15 µg (600 IU) should be taken during extended winter (end of October to March) for those of fair-skinned ethnicity, throughout the full year for those of darker-skinned ethnicity, and throughout the full year for those who are pregnant, regardless of ethnicity.

“The weaker sunlight available from October to March in Ireland is not a source of vitamin D," Dr Pamela Byrne, CEO, FSAI, said. "People may be unaware that even on sunny days in winter, the sun’s rays are the wrong type for the production of vitamin D. As a result, we depend on our diets to supply this key vitamin, but levels of vitamin D are limited in our food supply. This results in vitamin D deficiency being common among children and adults in Ireland. We consider the prevention of vitamin D deficiency to be a public health nutrition priority and this report outlines how we can combat this deficiency through using both natural food sources of vitamin D and fortified foods along with appropriate doses of vitamin D supplements."