Town to transform as festival blossoms again

THE traditional end-of-summer Irish festival everyone pretends to hate is set to kick off in style this weekend as a host of public events, charity drives and picture perfect pouts are showcased in Kerry over the coming days.

Freshly picked from its 12-month hiatus, the Rose of Tralee international festival is back to wow and irritate its fans and detractors in equal measure — in the process ensuring vital funds are both pumped into the local economy and given to worthy causes.

With this year’s 32 Roses arriving in Tralee yesterday to meet their escorts and the child participants who will act as their rose buds, the Kerry town has been transformed into a family-friendly festival site.