From Kerry to Your Bathroom Shelf: The Story Behind Rose Week
Every August, the town of Tralee in County Kerry bursts into colour for the Rose of Tralee International Festival — a celebration of Irish heritage, community, and of course, the rose itself.
I may have only spent a few days in Kerry, but it’s the kind of place that sticks with you: dramatic coastline, friendly faces, and an infectious sense of celebration. And when Rose Week started taking shape at Janni Bars, I couldn’t help but think of that festival energy and how it might meet our own love for nature-inspired products.
This year, that connection became the perfect excuse to dedicate an entire week to the rose — not just as a beautiful scent, but as a timeless symbol of care, strength, and confidence.
Why the rose? More than a scent.
When people think of roses, they often picture a bouquet given on Valentine’s Day or a bloom in a summer garden. But for me, the rose holds far more meaning.
For centuries, roses have been valued not just for their beauty, but for their gentle, nurturing qualities. In skincare, rose extracts are rich in antioxidants and kind to even the most delicate skin. They soothe, hydrate, and help restore balance — turning a simple routine into something a little more indulgent.
Then there’s the way rose makes you feel. The scent is grounding yet uplifting, known to reduce stress and promote a sense of calm. It’s like a deep breath of quiet in the middle of a busy day. That’s why I always say rose isn’t just something you smell — it’s something you experience.
And symbolically? The rose has long been a sign of love, not only for others but for ourselves. At Janni Bars, confidence is at the heart of what we do, and a flower that’s both soft and resilient feels like the perfect emblem for that.
From idea to bathroom shelf
When the idea of Rose Week bloomed (pun absolutely intended), I knew our products needed to capture the full experience of the rose — beauty, care, and a touch of luxury — while staying true to our planet-friendly values.
That meant choosing rose ingredients carefully, making sure they were pure, ethically sourced, and effective. In the workshop, creating rose products is a sensory delight: as each batch comes together, the air fills with a fresh, floral fragrance touched with green, like petals after a soft rain.
Every bar is made in small batches, hand-cut, and packaged plastic-free — ready to bring a little piece of rose magic to your daily ritual.
Rose Week favourites
Our Rose Week collection is all about turning everyday care into something special. Whether it’s a rose-clay shampoo bar that leaves hair soft and shiny, or a creamy soap that cleanses without stripping, each product is made with plant-based ingredients and natural fragrance.
They’re designed for moments when you want your routine to feel like more than just ticking a box — when you want that moment of calm, that little lift, that gentle reminder that self-care is worth making time for.
I like to imagine where these rose bars end up: in a sunny bathroom in Galway, a cosy cottage in Longford, or tucked into the luggage of someone heading overseas. Wherever they land, they carry with them a little Irish charm.
The Rose of Tralee: a festival worth knowing
For our readers outside Ireland, the Rose of Tralee International Festival might sound like a beauty pageant, but it’s something quite different — and deeply loved here.
Held every August since 1959, the festival celebrates young women of Irish heritage from all over the world — from Sydney to San Francisco, from London to Longford. Each community chooses a “Rose” to represent them, and over several days, these women take part in parades, events, and two nights of televised interviews.
It’s about personality, kindness, talent, and connection — celebrating not just beauty, but the spirit and achievements of the Roses. And the whole town of Tralee comes alive for it, with music, colour, and plenty of cheer.
A little local pride: cheering on our own Longford Rose
This year, we’ve got an extra reason to follow the festival closely. Our very own Longford Rose, Sara-Lee Greene, will be taking part — and we couldn’t be prouder.
Sara-Lee represents so many of the qualities that make the rose such a powerful symbol: warmth, grace, and quiet strength. We’ll be cheering her on from here and wishing her every success on the Tralee stage.
It feels like a perfect overlap: a week dedicated to the rose in all its forms — from the festival in Kerry to the rose-scented bars on your bathroom shelf.
Bringing a piece of rose season home
For me, Rose Week isn’t just about a product launch — it’s a chance to share a little bit of what the rose means to us at Janni Bars: resilience, beauty, self-care, and confidence.
When you use a rose product from our collection, I hope you feel connected — not just to the ingredients and the care that went into making it, but to the bigger story of what the rose represents.
Whether you’re washing your hair before a busy workday or winding down with a calming evening shower, I hope you find that moment to breathe, to enjoy, and to feel a little more like yourself.
So here’s to Rose Week — to Sara-Lee, to the festival in Tralee, and to all the ways a simple flower can brighten our days.
Because from Kerry to your bathroom shelf, the rose is more than just a scent — it’s a story worth celebrating.