Rose of Tralee begins busy schedule

The perks of being Rose of Tralee were quickly brought home to this year's winner, a 22-year-old UCC student, Ms Geraldine O'Grady, in the early hours of yesterday.

"I was told a short time after I had won about a free trip to America next month and that Eircell was giving me a car for the year. It's great," said Ms O'Grady.

She was speaking to journalists in the middle of a hectic round of engagements at the Festival of Kerry yesterday.

Ms O'Grady said she went to bed at 5 a.m. and was up again at 8 a.m. for a photo-call and several radio interviews.

She was taking it all in her stride. "I am living on adrenalin for now, but I hope to take a few days' rest in Dingle. I am looking forward to a busy year representing the festival. I think I'll find it challenging."

Ms O'Grady said it was a cliche for all winners to say there was a great camaraderie among the 33 Rose contestants. "But it's true. Some great friendships were made."

This year's festival was viewed as a success, with an estimated 200,000 people visiting Kerry and generating about £13 million for the local economy.

Under the direction of the new chief executive, Ms Noreen Cassidy, the largely voluntary committee placed a strong emphasis on high-quality street entertainment.

"We went for a people-friendly and family-type event and it paid off," said Ms Cassidy.

She said the committee intended to launch an intensive international marketing campaign in advance of next year's event to build on the success of this week.