Roses ready to bloom in warm weather

THE Roses of Tralee will be blossoming this year if the forecast from Met Éireann is anything to go by.

When the 32 contestants take to the stage on Monday and Tuesday, Ireland will be enjoying sunny weather with temperatures of up to 21C.

“It’ll be the best weather we’ll have for a while,” said forecaster Siobhán Ryan yesterday.

This year is the 48th time the uniquely Irish contest has been staged — with Irish eyes across the world looking to the Kerry town for glamour and talent, as well as a touch of the unexpected.

Roses this year come from as far away as South Australia, California and Philadelphia, with a smattering from closer locations such as Britain, the North and France.

Last year’s winning Rose, 24-year-old veterinary nurse Kathryn Feeney from Queensland, Australia, will be watching to see who will succeed her.

Yesterday, Tralee Mayor Miriam McGillicuddy said the town was looking forward to becoming the international centre of attention when the festivities begin drawing crowds over the weekend.

“There’s a great atmosphere in town and it’s a good social occasion for the locals as well as the families of the international roses,” she said.

“We get people coming home to Tralee from across the world for the festival as they know it’s the one time apart from Christmas when everybody will be about.”

Among the Kerrymen and women returning to the Kingdom for the festival are those now living in the US, Britain and continental Europe.

While the town’s new Fels Point Hotel will be staging the Rose contest, the streets of Tralee will be ablaze of colour with street entertainers, parades and a French market.

Today FM’s Ray D’Arcy will be compering the event for the third time in a row for RTÉ’s coverage on Monday and Tuesday night.

Last year, around 707,000 television viewers watched the final.

Judges include RTÉ newscaster Sharon Ní Bheoláin, 1993 Rose of Tralee Kirsty Flynn O’Shea, Oonagh Doyle from sponsors Newbridge Silverware and former GAA supremo Seán Kelly.

Although the festivities have already started in Tralee, the Roses will be spending tomorrow and Sunday being interviewed by the judges in private ahead of their appearance on RTÉ.

And while the weekend weather will see heavy downpours, Met Éireann reckons the final days of the festival will be bathed in sunshine.

Monday is expected to be cloudy but warm with temperatures reaching up to 20C but Tuesday will be sunny with temperatures hitting 21C.

Catch up with all the latest Rose of Tralee news every day in your Irish Examiner and online at www.irishexaminer.com.