Rose of Tralee escorts sought for festival in August

Unmarried men aged 21-30 sought to help Roses have enjoyable time

Maria Walsh, the Rose of Tralee, has put out a call to young men of Ireland interested in being a Rose escort for the festival from August 14th-18th.

Lads between 21 and 30 have until March 16th to apply to be part of the Rose of Tralee International Festival.

The main role is to look after the Rose assigned to him and help her enjoy her time at the festival. Successful candidates do a team-building boot camp in Kerry in June and take part in festival events in August, including the Gala Rose Ball, parades and five days of entertainment.

Ms Walsh, the 2014 Rose, said: “The lads who sign up for this year’s festival will have the time of their lives. While there are responsibilities that come with the role, they will have great craic.”

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As well as being aged between 21 and 30, men who are interested in being escorts must not be married and either they or an ancestor should have been born in Ireland.

One of the 32 Rose escorts will be announced as the Newbridge Silverware Escort of the Year on RTÉ One television on August 17th.

Last year's winner Conor Walsh said: "Becoming a Rose escort in 2013 and again in 2014 was one of the best decisions of my life. Words cannot describe the amount of fun, laughter and once-in-a-lifetime experiences I have gone through. It has given me the opportunity to meet so many new and interesting people from all over the world and it is something for which I will always be grateful."

Each candidate pays a €25 application fee and, if chosen as an escort , will have to get sponsorship. Apply at roseoftralee.ie before March 16th or email info@roseoftralee.ie for more information.