Glitz and glamour reign in Rose Dome

THERE was little talk of world peace in Kerry yesterday.

People were more concerned with the rain, landslides and travelling to Croke Park for the replay with Cork on Sunday.

This mood summed up this year’s Rose of Tralee festival. Next year the darling Rose of the Kingdom hits the big 50 and that’s what really has people excited. There was even talk of Gay Byrne co-presenting next year’s show with current presenter Ray D’Arcy.

“There’s not much happening this year. Next year really is the big one,” said a local who has been coming to the festival since the 1970s.

“Back then there was loads of people around. It’s not so much that way any more,” he added.

But inside the sweltering Dome there were little signs of a downturn.

Like a big international pyjama party, Roses ran around helping with make-up, hair, dresses and keeping one other calm.

Tipperary Rose Aoife Kelly had been favourite with the bookies but Cashmans Bookmakers said it had seen a surge in bets for Sydney’s Hannah Bradley yesterday.

“We started out with the Sydney Rose at 33/1 and by the end of the day she was 6/4 favourite.”

Kicking off the first of the two finals last night was Cork’s Niamh O’Hanlon.

Roses from Dubai and New Jersey picked their trip to Carlow in the midst of the floods as one of the highlights of their tour of Ireland last week.

What impressed them most was construction workers who learned the words of The Rose of Tralee so they could sing to the girls.

They also spoke of their interviews with the judges — former GAA chief Sean Kelly, TV presenters Dáithí Ó Sé and Mary Kennedy, Brian Crowley MEP and former Rose Colleen McPhee.

They were grilled by the judges for 15 minutes individually while also having to take part in group interviews. Other than that they didn’t see much of the judges.

The first crown of the festival was presented to Escort of the Year, Donal Droney from Kildare, who accompanied Roscommon Rose Triona O’Connor.

He was presented with a selection of Newbridge Silverware and a cheque for €1,000. As a gesture to his Rose he presented her with a Naas jersey.

Among the other gifts presented to the girls by the escorts were strawberries from Wexford, a Build-a-Bear teddy and a goodie bag filled with items such as plasters and cotton wool.

Tonight 15 more Roses take to the stage. Last night we had Cork and Kerry, San Francisco and Washington DC. Tonight we’ll have favourites Sydney and Tipperary.

Following on from Irish dancing, a poetry recital and a performance of the Jumbo Breakfast Roll, we can look forward to a performance with the rubix cube, a showing of an elephant DVD and more Irish dancing.

But tonight while the 31 Roses gather on stage waiting for the winner to be announced, young girls across Ireland will be glued to the television dreaming of a day when they might be crowned the Rose of Tralee. I know this because I was one of those girls.

I always said if it was me, I’d never cry but with thousands of people in front of you and millions worldwide waiting for a reaction, what else is there to do but cry.

And if you agree, Cashmans are giving odds of 2/1 that this year’s Rose will shed a tear when crowned.