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.

There are 32 Roses, with a male escort for each one, so the competition is intense among the men from all walks of life who are now being invited to send in their applications for the 2014 event.

The job is basically that of chaperone to a Rose and the escorts get to attend most of the glamour functions with the girls.

“It’s a varied task during a hectic week and it could range from holding a handbag to dealing with kids seeking autographs to warding off what might be seen as unwanted attention from other people,’’ said festival spokesman John Drummey.

The 2013 Rose of Tralee, Haley O’Sullivan, guaranteed all of the men who sign up that they will have the time of their lives.

“While there are responsibilities that come with being an escort, they manage to have a pretty great time in Tralee,” she said.

“By the end of the festival, all of the men definitely consider one another as brothers. The friendships made during the festival are lasting.”

Sometimes, romance blooms between escorts and Roses, and there have been marriages down the years, including former Dublin Rose Susan Roe getting hitched to Adam Craughan of Limerick.

One of the lucky men will leave Tralee with a prize valued at €5,000 for winning the Newbridge Silverware Escort of the Year, which will be announced live during the ceremony on August 18.

Escorts must be between 21 and 30 years of age before September 1 and, once selected, each must secure sponsorship of €1,250.

This year’s selection process will take place in early April. Full details on how to become an escort and about the festival itself are available at roseoftralee.ie.

The 55th Rose of Tralee Festival will run from August 15-19.