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The Roses make their way from the bus into The Rose Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
SO now their week really begins.
The 64 Roses received a rousing welcome on Tuesday afternoon when they disembarked from the coaches to a jazz band playing and banners waving to arrive at The Rose Hotel.
The ladies in red were greeted by Dick and Eibhlín Henggeler of the hotel and many family members were also present as well as young autograph hunters and selfie-seekers.
Continued below…
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For three Roses it was a sort of homecoming as London Rose Caoimhe Gallagher is a Killorglin woman, Aisling Walsh, the Sydney Rose comes from Ballylongford and Rathmore lady Breda O’Mahony is representing her home county.
Breda told us what the last couple of days have been like.
“The last two days feels like a week so much has happened. We went to all the major tourist sites and we had a ball. It’s been unreal. Being a Kerry Rose landing here this afternoon is something special. It’s every young girl’s dream to be a Kerry Rose so it’s very overwhelming,” said an emotional Breda.
Sydney Rose Aisling was also delighted to be home.
“It’s been surreal. I can’t describe what it’s like coming home to Kerry to represent a massive city and its Irish Australian community,” she said.
The Roses have a packed schedule over the next few days and will be visiting various parts of Kerry between now and Friday. Scroll down for photos and a video of the Roses arriving…
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Kerry natives who are Roses this year, London Rose Caoimhe Gallagher, Kerry Rose Breda O’Mahony and Sydney Rose Aisling Walsh at The Rose Hotel on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Alex O’Donovan and daughter Sadie waiting for the Roses at The Rose Hotel on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Waiting for Aisling Walsh, the Sydney Rose, were Andy McCarthy, Siobhan Walsh, Eamon Walsh, John and Marie Robjohn waiting for the Roses at The Rose Hotel on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
Waterford Rose Chloe McGrath, Louth Rose Aoife Heffron, Kildare Rose Deirbhle Mulvihill and Dublin Rose Maria Coughlan at The Rose Hotel on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Boston & New England Rose Orlaith Roche, Hong Kong Rose Clarissa Langley Coleman and Toronto Rose Colombe Nadeau-O’Shea at The Rose Hotel on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Southern California Rose Claire McManamon with James, David and Marie Russell at The Rose Hotel on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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The Roses make their way from the bus into The Rose Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Roses make their way from the bus into The Rose Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Roses make their way from the bus into The Rose Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
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