Blooming marvellous: Tralee just can’t get enough of the Roses

“Sure hasn’t the whole town gone mad? There was a bus that pulled up there earlier and all the Roses got out and people went crazy for them. They love them, the Roses. They’re being treated like absolute royalty.”

She may only have been making light conversation while trying to refine my untameable tresses in time for last night’s much-anticipated Rose Ball, but my hairdresser, Monica, from Seán Taaffe’s, hit the nail on the head — we just can’t get enough of those lovely ladies.

Here we are at the #RoseOfTralee ball pic.twitter.com/w89W100b5I

— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 14, 2015

As if seeing them disembark from the bus wasn’t enough, another huge crowd, most of whom weren’t even attending the ball, trekked all the way to Fel’s Point Hotel just to see the girls arrive in their finery. And how splendidly fine they were.

Here we are at the #RoseOfTralee Ball pic.twitter.com/R2vhIn8sHn

— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 14, 2015

Dazzling their fans with glitz and glam, their almost equally dashing and ever- affable escorts were at hand to greet them on the steps and whisk them away to the Rose Pavilion for a champagne reception. Dinner in the Dome followed with what was to be a whirlwind of an evening against the backdrop of a beautifully bedecked venue, displaying all the trimmings one has come to expect from the highly professional and polished Rose of Tralee Festival, including candelabrasand a roof transformed into a glittering blanket of stars.

Having the lols with the photographers at the @roseoftralee_ ! #Roseoftralee15 #RoseBall :) #roseoftralee2015 pic.twitter.com/lGqIcQwBQ8

— Ceallach Ní Bhriain (Kelly O'Brien) (@Kellingtondawg) August 14, 2015

Hardened party-goers kept the flag flying long after the glamorous girls were tucked up in bed, wise to the need to prepare for an equally hectic day today.

Nathan Carter rocking the Denny Street stage 🎶🌹 #roseoftralee @iamNATHANCARTER pic.twitter.com/H8lxOecG1x

— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 14, 2015

Elsewhere, there were other, messier festivities under way, albeit equally as entertaining, dominated by kebabs and revelry.

Upwards of 4,000 people turned out for clean-cut country boy Nathan Carter who pleased the masses with hit songs like ‘Good Time Girls’ and ‘Wagon Wheel’.

In the centre of town, food stalls were offering all kinds of everything. Street vendors could be seen weaving braids into children’s hair while throngs made their way from one event to the next.

Rose ball entertainment is in full swing 💃🏻🎶 #roseoftralee pic.twitter.com/NhLhZQBPVq

— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 14, 2015

From hoteliers to taxidrivers, the word on the street is that there’s a great buzz about the festival, fuelled perhaps by the economic upturn or maybe because the summer that never was is giving way to a more promising autumn.

Roses enjoy the beautiful nature reserve of Tralee Bay Wetlands for a welcome to Tralee by Kerry County Council 😊🌹 pic.twitter.com/IhZeDFM3DQ

— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 14, 2015

At Mr Duffy’s Traditional Sweetshop, trade was booming. “We’ve been pretty busy all day with parents bringing their kids in and out, all happy and smiling, said retailer Karen O’Connor Desmond.

“All the kids have their faces painted and everyone’s having a great time.”

That great time is set to continue today with the Roses out and about signing autographs followed by lunch at McDonald’s, a massive Zumba class and the first parade of the festival. Deep Sky objects will be playing in the centre of the town, along with other local bands, and the night will finish with a delicate but explosive fireworks display .