Red carpet rolled out as Roses sashay into town

THE contestants battling to be this year’s Rose of Tralee arrived to a heroine’s reception in the Kerry town yesterday, knowing the crown is all to play for.

Cheered on by friends and family from Irish communities across the globe, the 31 young women alighted from their coach and onto the red carpet in true Oscar style.

To a jazz version of the Rose of Tralee ballad the Roses arrived at the town’s new Fels Point Hotel and were besieged by autograph hunters and photographers.