Rose of Tralee festival in full bloom as weekend events kick off in style at ball

The build-up to this year’s Rose of Tralee festivities was in full bloom last night at the annual event’s Rose Ball.

The main weekend of the popular competition, which has divided public opinion for 54 years, kicked off in style yesterday as the town welcomed this year’s contestants to the region.

Among those attending the star-studded gala were Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar; champion cyclist Sean Kelly; social campaigner Adi Roche; and US-based fashion designer Dan O’Neill.

They were joined by the first-ever winner of the Rose of Tralee, Alice O’Sullivan, who has returned to the town as part of its Gathering festivities.

With the live TV shows that are considered to be the centrepiece of the annual event taking place on Monday and Tuesday, Tralee town is this morning gearing up for another badly needed financial boost.

The festival is reputed to be worth millions of euro to the Kerry town every year, with hotels and B&Bs already claiming to be booked out.

This evening will see the first official Rose parade through the town, which starts at 8pm and will see this year’s contestants meet the public for the first time.

The 32 girls bidding to win this year’s competition have already been on a week-long tour of Ireland, which began on Tuesday morning at Dublin airport.

* Full details of all entertainment events are available at www.roseoftralee.ie.

Further information is available on the Rose of Tralee Festival Facebook page and on Twitter @roseoftralee.