One young Tipperary man has got what it takes to be the perfect gentlemen and has been selected to be among the 64 Rose Escorts at this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival from August 16 – 22.
Patrick O’Donnell (24), from Galbally, who came through an interview process back in April, at the Glen Royal Hotel in Maynooth, was put through his paces over the Bank Holiday Weekend at the annual Boot Camp along the Wild Atlantic Way in Kerry.
He had to pass several endurance tests and team-building exercises before he could graduate as a fully-fledged Rose Escort.
The Rose of Tralee International Festival’s Communications Manager, John Drummey, said: “The Rose Escorts spent three days in Kerry where they undertook a few grueling, yet fun, tasks to prepare them for the festival in August. It was not because the ladies love Milk Tray but because the lads prefer Roses.
“Around 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 64, 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 activities including a hike over Mount Brandon – Ireland’s second highest mountain – cliff diving, water-skiing, cycling, turf-footing, abseiling, kayaking, surfing, ironing and sewing, to prove they will have the stamina to be a Rose Escort.
Over the course of the weekend, the Rose Escorts experienced the visitor facilities in Castlegregory, Derrynane, Waterville, Valentia Island, Dingle, Kerry Head and Tralee.
Looking ahead to this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival, one of the 64 lads will be selected as the Rose Escort of the Year live on RTÉ One on Monday, August 21.
The 2017 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from August 16 – 22, when a full line-up of free family-fun entertainment is planned for the streets of Tralee with Nathan Carter and the Ronan Collins Showband Cabarets Shows, Fashion Show, Rose Ball and televised selections presented by Dáithí Ó Sé, set to fill the Festival Dome.
