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Perth Rose Jean O’Riordan of Watergrasshill wearing one of Ann Murphy’s creations, in the company of Cork Rose, Edel Buckley of Donoughmore and Sydney Rose, Fiona O’Sullivan of Blackpool in advance of this year’s Rose of Tralee festival. Photo: Dominick Walsh

This coming Friday, August 16, as the Cork and Perth roses arrive in Tralee to greet the crowds, they will both be wearing head pieces by Fermoy milliner, Ann Murphy. Watergrasshill woman Jean O’Riordan will represent Perth in the Rose of Tralee, while Cork is being represented by Edel Buckley from Donoughmore.

While 27-year-old Jean has sourced all of her outfits in Australia or online, she has been liaising by e-mail in recent weeks with Fermoy milliner, Ann Murphy of AM Jewellery in Ballyhindon, to design two specially commissioned hats for the events in Tralee.

Ann was enlisted to design pieces for Jean, after Jean’s sister spotted hats designed by Ann at the milliner’s July wedding to Fermoy man, Paul Flynn. While on honeymoon, Ann received an e-mail query about the possibility of making hats for Jean and she said yes immediately.

“Like most Irish little girls, I had watched the Rose of Tralee. It is ingrained into Irish culture at this stage and I was delighted to be able to sponsor two hats for Edel Buckley as the Cork Rose. I couldn’t say no to a second opportunity to get involved in the preparations for the Rose of Tralee," she said.

The hats — including one red and white hat featuring a rose, for Edel Buckley — are now in suitcases with more than 20 outfits for each of the two girls, as they take part in a tour of the country before arriving in Tralee. The girls will take part in the televised live interviews on stage with Dáithí Ó Sé on Monday and Tuesday, August 19 and 20.

This year has been a busy one for Ann. In May, a client commissioned her to make a hat to wear to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II. Her work has also graced the Kentucky Derby, as well as the Galway Races and the Punchestown Festival - one customer was so enthralled by Ann's work that she snapped up three of her creations for Punchestown.

Ann explained that her bespoke pieces are created specifically with each client, in mind while giving a nod to vintage glamour where possible. Her bridal head pieces frequently include antique brooches, to give brides that “something old” for their big day.

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