50 Roses to do battle in anniversary year

THE 50th anniversary of the Rose of Tralee International Festival is expected to be the biggest and best to date with more beautiful contestants than ever before.

Normally, 30 contestants take part but, according to festival director Anthony O’Gara, this year there will be 50 entrants to celebrate the number of years the contest has been running.

Many will come from new centres, including Newfoundland, Jersey, Arizona and Germany.