All Rosey for escorts as fee replaces sponsorship

BUDDING escorts feeling the recession pinch will be relieved with news that even the cost of getting close to a Rose is plummeting.

Up to now, any man anxious to partner a Rose at the annual Rose of Tralee festival had to find sponsorship of €2,500 to enter the escort competition.

But organisers of this year’s festival — which celebrates 51 years — have announced that all potential companions need to do is pay a modest fee of just €75 to enter the competition.