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The crowd gathered in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
THERE was a large crowd in the Square on Friday afternoon as the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival took place to celebrate 60 years of the event.
Hosted by Kerry County Council, it was attended by this year’s Rose of Tralee contestants, escorts, local councillors, Roses from the past and Festival officials and it proved to be an event full of colour and pageantry.
Opening proceedings, local girls paraded the flags of the nations represented by the Roses, while Mayor Finucane presented each of the Roses with a scroll to mark their participation.
Continued below…
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Tralee Municipal District Manager Michael Scannell introduced a number of speakers including Mayor of Tralee Jim Finucane, Kerry County Council Chief Executive Moira Murrell, Chief Executive of the Rose of Tralee International Festival Anthony O’Gara, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin and the Rose of Tralee Kirsten Mate Maher.
Mayor Finucane welcomed the Roses and their families and expressed the hope that they would enjoy their stay in Tralee s much that it would encourage them to return in the years ahead.
He also expressed the wish that a decision be made, sooner rather than later, on locating a permanent home for the Rose of Tralee selection nights in the town.
In his address, Chief Executive of the Rose of Tralee International Festival Anthony O’Gara said they are currently formulating a plan to make the Festival even bigger and better in the coming years.
Minister Brendan Griffin in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
Minister Brendan Griffin spoke of the importance of the festival to Tralee and Kerry and said it held special memories of his own childhood, coming over from Keel to enjoy the fun on the streets.
There was also a standing ovation when the first winner of the Rose of Tralee, Alice O’Sullivan, was introduced to the crowd.
The first Rose of Tralee winner, Alice Fitzgerald being introduced to the crowd in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
To close proceedings, there was a special performance of song, music and dance. Three young local boys sang the ‘Rose of Tralee’ followed by a scintillating Irish dancing show from members of Siamsa Tíre which had the crowd on their feet.
A pretty lively way to start the Festival and there’s so much more to come. Scroll down for photos…
Siamsa Tire dancers in full flight in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Singing ‘The Rose Of Tralee’ in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
Rose of Tralee, Kirsten Mate Maher speaking in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
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The Roses give a standing ovation to the young singers in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
Enjoying the dancing in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Some of the flagbearers in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
Some of the crowd gathered in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Roses in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
Roses in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
Rose of Tralee Kirsten Mate Maher making her entrance in The Square for the official opening of the Rose of Tralee Festival. Photo by Dermot Crean
