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Eibhlín and Dick Henggeler and Rose of Tralee Maggie McEldowney at the Rose of Tralee monument on the Ballymullen roundabout on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
MEMBERS of Tralee Tidy Towns and Kerry County Council joined Dick and Eibhlín Henggeler and Rose of Tralee Maggie McEldowney on Wednesday evening, to officially launch the new Rose of Tralee monument.
The beautiful new Rose of Tralee sculpture has been erected on the roundabout at Ballymullen on the Dan Spring Road to celebrate the Rose of Tralee International Festival.
The sculpture — by local stone sculptor Billy Leen — was conceived and commissioned by Eibhlín and Dick Henggeler, owners of The Rose Hotel in Tralee, who wished to honour the wonderful community and voluntary spirit that goes into the organisation of the festival.
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Displaying the internationally recognised ‘Rose of Tralee’ logo on both sides, the new monument is a welcome addition to the landscape of the town.
The initiative was initially presented to the Mayor of Tralee, Cllr. Terry O’Brien and received unanimous support from Councillors of the Tralee Municipal District who felt it represented a wonderful opportunity as a Tidy Towns project.
Organised by the voluntary group, Tidy Tralee Together, under the chairmanship of Joe Moynihan, the project consisted of two phases.
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Terry O’Brien, at the Rose of Tralee monument on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
In the first phase, a raised flower bed of roses was planted adjacent to the roundabout. Put in place just before the Rose of Tralee International Festival last year, it provided a wonderful welcome for the international Roses and their families.
In the second phase, a large stone sculpture was erected which was officially launched on Wednesday.
The Henggelers stated; “On behalf of the Roses, Escorts and their families, we would like to thank all who have made the Rose of Tralee International Festival so fantastic for over 58 years. We would also like to thank the Mayor of Tralee and the other elected members of Kerry County Council, Tralee Municipal District, for welcoming and supporting our vision.”
Members of Tralee Tidy Towns with Dick and Eibhlín Henggeler at the Rose of Tralee flower bed on the Dan Spring Road on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr. Terry O’Brien stated; “I believe it represented a wonderful opportunity as a Tidy Town’s project as the theme of it was to highlight the voluntary spirit in the town. We’re very happy with the commitment of the Henggelers to support us with this. It should be a big plus for our Tidy Towns push to keep our gold medal. The monument itself is incredible, Billy Leen did a fine job with it.”
The Managing Director of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, Anthony O’Gara, said: “Exceptional people, mostly volunteers, have given their time and energy to bring the Rose of Tralee Festival to where it is today. On behalf of everyone in the Rose of Tralee family, I extend a warm word of thanks to the Henggeler family for honouring the community spirit upon which the festival was built.” Scroll down for photos…
Rose of Tralee, Maggie McEldowney, at the Rose of Tralee monument on the Ballymullen roundabout on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Members of Tralee Today Towns, Dick and Eibhlín Henggeler, Rose of Tralee Maggie McEldowney, Oonagh and Anthony O’Gara and stone sculptor Billy Leen at the Rose of Tralee monument on the Ballymullen roundabout on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
