THE ROSE of Tralee International Festival kicked off in some style in the Kerry capital last night with a black tie ball for over 900 in the festival dome.
The 31 Roses competing in this year’s event formally met their escorts at the event, although there was a prior get-together on Thursday night in Kinsale, Co Cork. The festival, which will celebrate 50 years of its existence next year, has lost none of its romance, its chairman, Anthony O’Gara, insisted yesterday. “There are few festivals anywhere which get two nights of live television viewing attracting viewing numbers that top every other event,” he said.
The 2008 Rose will be selected on Tuesday night, following two nights of interviews on RTÉ television, hosted by Ray D’Arcy.
The Roses come from across the globe – from Boston to Cavan, Dubai to Luxembourg, Toronto to Queensland, along with several centres in the UK.
But the attention last night was on Cork Rose, Niamh O’Hanlon, and Kerry Rose, Katie Nolan, to see if the rivalry on the pitch in Sunday’s GAA football semi-final between Cork and Kerry would be matched by the Roses. “Judging by their behaviour so far it will be a very friendly match,” according to a source close to the escorts.
The festival has a packed programme until Tuesday night’s final selection, including race meetings rescheduled from earlier this week because of bad weather, a street carnival with giant floats carrying the Roses tonight, as well as gigs at the dome each night.
There are a number of tributes this year, including one to local “messenger boy”, the late singer Christie Hennessy, as well as to Rory Gallagher. There is also a garden festival.
The judging panel will be chaired by former GAA president Seán Kelly and includes TG4 presenter Daithí Ó Sé, MEP Brian Crowley, RTÉ’s Mary Kennedy and 1996 Rose, Colleen McPhee.