Speed-dating Roses kick off with lavish ball

JOSTLING and shuffling like excited schoolboys ahead of a debs night, 31 nervous Rose of Tralee escorts formed a guard-of-honour of sorts to welcome their Roses to the Fels Point Hotel — and many to Tralee for the first time.

Arriving from a whistle-stop tour that took in Kinsale, Kilorglin and Killarney, the air of excited expectancy was palpable as gorgeous girls — led by Kerry Rose Katie Nolan, alighted from their coach to a jazz rendition of the festival’s theme tune.

Flag-flying friends, family and fans from across the globe turned out to cheer them on — and in a rare treat, even the sun came out to greet this year’s Rose of Tralee contestants.