Festival Countdown: Meet The Five Rose Escorts From Kerry In For A Busy Week

TraleeToday.ie’s coverage of the Rose of Tralee International Festival/Féile Thrá Lí is brought to you by Charlie’s Bar & Bistro at Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club…

THE Roses will arrive to Tralee on Friday and they’ll be well taken care of when they do, thanks to their Rose Escorts.

These young men will have a busy week, catering to the Roses every need and, as always, there’s a few Kerry men among the 32 lads. Time to get to know them…

Kevin Ross

“Hi, my name is Kevin Ross. I’m 29 years old and I’m from Ballyduff in North Kerry. Outside of work, you’ll usually find me swimming, travelling, exploring Ireland, or talking about classic and vintage cars. I’m a huge petrolhead and, while living in Australia for a year and a half, I was lucky enough to work for Porsche in Sydney while remotely managing Balloons le Grá alongside my sister back home.

I own Balloons le Grá, a nationwide personalised balloon business based in Tralee, and I love that no two days are ever the same, which is exactly how I think Festival week is going to be too. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial streak and have loved building businesses since I was 10 years old.”

Giving back has always been important to me. Most recently, alongside my fellow Kerry Escorts, I took part in the Up & Down Challenge, helping to raise over €5,200 for Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland.

The challenge involved climbing Carrauntoohil before completing a skydive, symbolising the ups and downs of mental health.

Becoming a Rose Escort means more to me than I can put into words. As a young fella watching the Rose Parade outside the Grand Hotel in Tralee with my mom, Anne, she said, “You’ll be a Rose Escort someday.”

My mom sadly passed away in 2012, but I promised myself in my early 20s that I’d make it happen before I turned 30. With my 30th birthday falling just a week after this year’s Festival, that promise has finally become a reality.

One of the best parts of the journey so far has been the friendships we’ve already made as Escorts. I can’t wait to meet my Rose, soak up the atmosphere around Tralee, and help create memories that will last a lifetime.

Continued below…

Connor O’Donoghue

“My name is Connor O’Donoghue and I am 28 years of age, born and raised in Tralee and I wouldn’t have had it any other way!

I have however spent the past 5 years living and working in Dublin as an Event Producer for FUEL, a leading experience and entertainment group in Ireland.

I took a brief hiatus at the beginning of 2026 and spent a few months taking around South East Asia to see what everyone was talking about. I learned it was right to be talked about and well worth the adventure.

Similar to my fellow late-20s counterparts, I have taken up and enjoy running. Running from my problems and into difficulty! I am indeed running the 2026 Dublin City Marathon after mildly enjoying a few half marathons. I like to think my unique interest is running or exercising to the songs of Julie Andrews. She really puts a pep in my step!

I grew up in a family business, Oaklands Stores in Tralee. I would tell anyone who listens that it is the best small shop in the world, and there is no carvery dinner out there to compare to it. Call in!”

Daithí Fitzgerald

Daithí Fitzgerald is a 25-year-old from Ardfert, Co. Kerry.

This year, he graduated with a Master’s in Political Communications from Dublin City University, having previously worked in the European Parliament and Leinster House.

Passionate about his community, Daithí is actively involved in political activism, representing young people’s voices and working on issues affecting communities across Kerry.

As part of the Rose Escort journey, Daithí and his fellow Kerry Escorts climbed Carrauntoohill before completing a 13,000ft skydive to raise funds and awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland.

Having grown up in Kerry, the Rose of Tralee Festival has always been part of the fabric of his local community, and he is looking forward to playing a central role in one of the county’s most cherished traditions while embracing everything the festival has to offer.

Ethan O Connor

My name is Ethan O Connor, 24 and a proud North Kerry man from the great parish of Ballyduff. Proudly sponsored by Rochford Construction Limited which is owned by my uncle Gerard Rochford.

I’m the eldest of 4, so patience isn’t a virtue, it’s a survival skill. I’m a qualified electrician with ESB Networks, so I know a thing or two about lighting up a room (literally).

I love sports and play football for my local GAA club and also play golf in my spare time. I love socialising, having the craic and meeting new people.

The Rose of Tralee festival is a religion down in Kerry so it’s a privilege to be able to take part in it this year and follow in my cousins footsteps, Sorcha Rochford who was the Boston and New England Rose in 2018.

Simon Corridon

“Hi I’m Simon Corridon I’m 21 from county Kerry. A final year business and marketing student in MTU Kerry along with being a fully qualified lifeguard and swim teacher.

On top of this I run my own marketing and social media management company the Corridon brand lab which many of ye have probably already seen my face representing brands and events on social media around Ireland.

For many years I’ve competed at national level in eventing. Horses are something that I’ve grown up with and hold a strong part in my life still which juggling work on the side.

For many years I’ve attended the festival with it being local to me. To be back in the Kerry Sports Academy is wonderful although it’s better this time that it’s for the Rose of Tralee rather than sitting my college exams in the same very hall.

I’m looking forward to what is yet to come as what has already happened has been an amazing experience so far.”