Would-be escorts face bootcamp battle for Roses

There’s a fairly rigorous selection process, a mission involving a wide range of duties, and the dress code involves a tuxedo — no, not Her Majesty’s Secret Service, rather the Rose of Tralee escort panel.

Between 150 and 200 fellows apply to become escorts each year and they have to go through a pretty strict interview process as well as a bootcamp before they even think of hiring a tuxedo for the annual extravaganza in the Kerry capital.

Indeed, some would say that being picked as an escort is almost as difficult for a male as winning the Rose of Tralee contest is for a young lady.