Daithí gets his Rose-tinted glasses out for this year’s Tralee festival

After five days of touring some of the country’s most famous tourist landmarks, this year’s crop of Roses finally planted themselves in the home of the world renowned competition, Tralee.

More than 200,000 are expected to flock to the Kerry town over the next five days to enjoy the best of the 2014 Rose of Tralee International Festival before this year’s winner is crowned next Tuesday evening.

Since last Sunday, the 32 Roses have visited a number of leading tourist sites, including Croke Park and the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and Strokestown Famine Museum in Roscommon.

The Roses were also treated to a leisurely cruise down the Shannon to Carrick-on-Shannon and a trip underground in the Arigna Mine. They travelled to Tralee yesterday from this year’s City of Culture, Limerick.

Yesterday, along with presenter Daithí Ó Sé, they teamed up with Kerryman Mike Griffin and his famous Na Gaeil Football jersey ahead of an auction for Sudden Adult Death Syndrome charity CRY Ireland, which will be held later this month.

The jersey has been autographed by some of the world’s most famous footballers.

The Dome lights up! @KerrygoldIRL #roseoftralee #roseball 🌹 pic.twitter.com/Py0KR8qU6g

— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 15, 2014

Mr Griffin, a 25-year-old teacher from Tralee, took it to the World Cup in Brazil and got the signatures of five World Cup winners past and present, including two winning captains, Argentina’s Diego Maradona and Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro, and the Brazilian legend Zico. The current German star Mesut Özil signed the jersey after the World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium with his World Cup medal around his neck.

Mr Griffin has decided to auction off his prized possession in an online charity auction later this month to raise funds for CRY. He chose the Rose of Tralee Festival to announce his charity endeavour.

Don’t forget 2 take a #chselfie at #Festival entertainment events for a chance to win a prize from CH The Mall Tralee pic.twitter.com/LznntZYz78

— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 15, 2014

Last night, the Roses attended the Kerrygold Rose Ball in the Festival Dome — the first official event of this year’s festival.

Over the next four days, organisers have arranged more than 80 hours of free and “affordable” entertainment, including three parades, two fireworks displays, an airshow and outdoor concerts.

Full details of the entertainment schedule at this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival are available from www.roseoftralee.ie, Facebook and Twitter (@roseoftralee_)