Some of the escorts with Rose Of Tralee Elysha Brennan. Photo by Dominick Walsh
SIX lads from Kerry have graduated from Boot Camp and will travel to Kerry as Rose Escorts at the 2016 Rose of Tralee International Festival.
James Finn (21), Shane Kenny (23), Padraic McCarthy (23), James O’Connor (26), Corey McConnell (23) and Stewart Nolan (22) were among the 65 guys who will be the Rose Escorts to 65 Roses taking part in this year’s extended Festival from 17-23 August in Tralee.
The lads were put through their paces over the Bank Holiday Weekend at the annual Boot Camp in Dingle, Ballybunnion and Castlegregory along the Wild Atlantic Way in Kerry.
The Rose of Tralee International Festival’s Communications Manager, John Drummey, said: “The Rose Escorts spent three days in Kerry where they undertook a number of endurance tasks to prepare them for the festival in August. It was not because the ladies love Milk Tray but because the lads prefer Roses. Over 200 men aged between 21 and 30 applied to become Rose Escorts at this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival and following a detailed interview process, the final 65, the most ever, were selected to take part in a Boot Camp weekend in the Kingdom to help them cope with the demands of a busy week in Tralee.”
The lads had to carry out a range tasks including a cycle over Connor Pass, a hike up Mount Brandon, turf-footing, abseiling, kayaking, surfing, ironing and sewing in order to prove they will have the stamina to be a Rose Escort.
This year’s Rose Escort Boot Camp activities were supported by Kerry County Council and Kerry Civil Defence, under Civil Defence Officer Tom Brosnan, who played a major role in the transport and logistics of the event.
The Rose Escorts experienced the visitor facilities in Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, Blennerville Windmill and Tralee Ship Canal, Tralee Town Park, Ballybunnion Seaweed Baths, Crag Caves in Castleisland, Aqua Dome Tralee and Manor West Hotel.
Dingle Distillery, Jamie Knox Watersports, Castlegregory Community Hall, The Rose Hotel and Kirby’s Brogue Inn Tralee also played their part in making the Boot Camp a memorable weekend for the men.
Nearly the whole country has been represented with the Escorts hailing from 26 out of the 32 counties and one of the lads will be selected as the Rose Escort of the Year live on RTÉ One on Monday 22nd August.
Shane Kenny, winner of the Rose Escort of the Year 2015.
The 2015 Escort of the Year, Shane Kenny from The Spa, Tralee, Co Kerry, said: “Having been selected as the Escort of the Year was nothing short of a great honour. The opportunity to represent a fantastic group and to accompany our Rose of Tralee, Elysha Brennan, at numerous events has been a brilliant experience. I’ve travelled extensively attending many charity events and Rose reunions while also working closely with a fantastic Rose of Tralee Team who couldn’t have done any more for me. I’ve made memories and friendships that will be cherished forever.”
The 2016 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place in Tralee from 17-23 August when a full line-up of free and affordable entertainment is planned including concerts featuring Reggie N Bollie, Nathan Carter, Hometown, Hudson Taylor, Hermitage Green, The Willis Clan, Ronan Collins Showband Show, televised selections presented by Dáithí Ó Sé, Fashion Show, three parades, two fireworks displays and an Air Show.
