€10,000 Man

The Galway Advertiser brings new of the Escorts - the 2012 Escort of the year is Ballinasloe man Ian Cullinane.

His prize? €10,000 worth of Newbridge Silverware. So the Galway Advertiser says.

More on Ian here.

Ever See An Escort Run?

Martha loved it

Martha with Robbie

Martha Gilheany, 2010 Leitrim Rose, had "the time of my life" at the International Rose Festival, according to the Leitrim Observer. The article reveals Martha's experiences at the festival - e.g. what was the highlight at Tralee? - "When asked about the highlight from Tralee, Martha didn't hesitate in selecting the parade. She said it was "magical," she described the sky, the atmosphere, the crowds, the colourful floats and most importantly her support as "extraordinary."

Martha Escort during the festival was Robbie Costello, the same Robbie who won Escort of the Year. From the Observer - 'Martha paid tribute to her right hand man, Robbie Costelloe who won Escort of the Year in the Dome last Monday night. She said he was a "gentleman and so funny, he helped me relax when I got nervous" '.

Read more in the Leitrim Observer.

More About Donal

Probably the best aricle about an Escort is the one in the Galway Advertiser. It gives a thorough profile of Donal Gill. Just to give you a flavour of the report '"As the girls were being interviewed the lads were also interviewed by Rose of Tralee delegate, Ollie Lawlor,” he says. “He and the girls chose the escort to go to Tralee to represent Roscommon. When I was chosen I was totally shocked. I had a fantastic night at the selection so it was an added bonus to be chosen. My full compliments go to the Roscommon Rose Committee, they put on a great night"', and "It was fantastic to meet the other lads, they were a sound bunch. It was good to be able to put faces to the names. It was an activity-based weekend with canoeing, kayaking, etc. The organisers also outlined the expected attire for the festival. A lot of it you would have yourself ordinarily. I had most of it myself. You are asked to look sharp, clean and casual"

You really should read the story - here.

Escort and his Rose

Adam Craughan certainly gets his PR done. The Clare Champion carries this photo of him. I'm thinking "butter wouldn't..............."

Escort update

Adam Craughan with Limerick Rose Brid Richardson and Boston Rose Deirdre Keane.

What is a typical Escort? Have a look at the Limerick Leader - Adam Craughan is the Escort for Limerick and they do a profile of him here.

Some points from the article; 'Having heard about the tales and escapades of previous escorts, Adam said he is really looking forward to his trip to Tralee. "Absolutely, I can't wait for it. It's going to be a great experience. Our duties are to ensure the Roses have an enjoyable experience, to promote the festival and have a good time ourselves"'.

Belfast Twosome

The Student President at Queen's University Belfast now has another duty - he has become an Escort for this year's festival. He is Gareth McGreevy and is pictured above with Frances Rafferty, 2010 Belfast Rose. The story come from the pages of the Belfast Telegraph.
We have seen many quotes from the Roses, so how about this from Gareth (in the Belfast Telegraph) "The Rose of Tralee is something I have grown up with in our house and we watched it every year without fail. I had always wanted to be one of those escorts and this year, thanks to my friend Susan, I went for it.” While acting as Student President for nearly 24,000 students, Gareth has managed to fit in a bit of fundraising for the event. “One of the most admirable things about the Rose of Tralee is that it isn’t just about the festival in Tralee. You get to put something back into your community and benefit others who need help. This year the Escort selected charity is Turning the Tide of Suicide. “Suicide is a major problem in Northern Ireland which sees us ranked as one of the highest rates in Europe. It is especially poignant for me as the suicide rate is especially high amongst young males who are in the low 20 age bracket — those who are at the age of attending University".

He has other interests too - go to the Belfast Telegraph for more.

Fermanagh's 2010 Rose

The Impartial Reporter has a long article all about Charlene Brady, the 2010 Fermanagh Rose. Charlene has amazing musical ability. She played two reels on the old fiddle on the selection night - not only that she is an All-Ireland Fleadh winner as a champion drummer.

Also on the night the Fermanagh Escort was chosen - he is Niall Oates. According to the Impartial Reporter he is Lisnaskea's Most Eligible Bachelor! He is sure of a warm welcome in Tralee. How does an Escort view the competition? He is reported as saying "I was phoned the Fermanagh organiser of the festival and she asked me would I take part and I thought why not. The Rose of Tralee was always watched by my parents and my grandmother at home so it's a popular show in our house and I thought I'd give it a go. I heard the experience is meant to be brilliant so I'm really looking forward to it".

The full story is here at the Impartial Reporter.

Offaly Rose and Escort

The Midland Tribune brings us further coverage from Offaly. Arlene Kelly from Edenderry has been selected 2010 Offaly Rose. From the article we quote Arlene; "I always wanted to be a Rose of Tralee, recently I entered Miss Punches Town in Naas and I had a great weekend. All the girls there were saying they would love to be in the Rose of Tralee, so that inspired me to go for it".

Also on the night the Offaly Escort was chosen - he is Cormac Ryan from Oola. Oola is not in Offaly, but in Limerick - that's no problem as he works in Nenagh. And Nenagh is not in Offaly either. I'm confused now.

Tipperary Rose has arrived

Lynda Kelly has been crowned 2010 Tipperary Rose. There seems to be a certain link between the Gardai and the Rose of Tralee - Lynda is a lecturer at the Garda Training College.

Lynda is pictured here with an unknown escort - the real Escort from Tipperary this year is Odhran Lloyd.

We really need more Tipperary information!

Jessica from Carlow

Yet again we have Klassy Dress Hire to thank for news from the south-east of Ireland. Jessica Adamson has been crowned the 2010 Carlow Rose. Jessica's next Rose duty is to participate in the regional finals to be held in June.

A much easier route has been mapped out for the 2010 Carlow Escort. He is Anthony Dempsey and goes straight through to the finals in Tralee later in the year.

More news at Klassy Dress Hire.

Doireann from Donegal

Doireann Sweeney is the 2010 Donegal Rose. She now goes on to the regional competition in Portlaoise.

The Donegal Escort was also selected - he is Sean O'Shea from Pettigo. Sean (a solicitor) goes straight through to the Festival in Tralee - no Regionals for him!

This story comes from the Irish Digest.

Go Munster

The Munster Express brings us the above picture and news of the Waterford Rose 2010. Sarah Murphy from Dungarvan is the lady who will be travelling to the regional competion in July.

A Waterford Escort was also chosen - he is Tommy Murphy. - He goes straight to Tralee - no regional competition for him.

Donal the Roscommon Escort

Here we have Donal Gill, who will represent Roscommon at the 2010 Rose Festival in Tralee. The poor Roscommon Rose, Deirdre Lenehan, will have to go through the trauma of the Regional Selection. Hardly seems fair does it?

Read all about it at the great Roscommon Rose website.

Full Review of Laois Selection Night

The Laois Nationalist has a wonderful piece on the selection night for the Laois Rose of Tralee. Bernadette Ryan emerged triumphant!

It's great to have quotable Roses, and Bernadette is the latest in a fine tradition. "This is so surreal, it’s like a dream. I think I’m going to wake up in the middle of senior infants and think what has happened". That was her reaction to the events of the night. I'm guessing Bernadette is a teacher.

Also chosen on the night was Andrew Monaghan - he will represent Laois as their Escort at the Festival in August.

Michael Tracey of the Laois Nationalist has the full story - it is well worth reading.

Who was who in the Escort world, 2006

You must be dying to know who all the Escorts were in the 2006 Festival. You are? Well you can find all the biographies at this RTE link.

Kildare Rose is a Queen

Edel Kearney is the 2010 Kildare Rose of Tralee, but she is also the reigning Kildare Derby Festival Queen. I seems she is also a GAA player with St. Laurence's.

All of this somes from the Leinster Leader, where you can also find out about Will McGrath who is the Kildare Escort for 2010.

Limerick Escort RS200

Well not quite RS2000, but this is Adam Craughan, who will represent Limerick as an Escort at the festival in Tralee in August.

This picture, and tons of other Rose pictures, can be seen at Event Capture. Well worth a visit.

Westmeath Rose and Escort

We are indebted to to the Athlone Voice, for it is there that we find more information on the Westmeath Rose. Cathy Brougham, studying for a masters in toxicology, is the 2010 Rose.

In the picture she is arm in arm with Niall O'Brien who has been selected as the Westmeath Escort.

More information and pictures are available at the Athlone Voice.

Leitrim's Martha

Here we have a Leitrim couple. Well, not quite. Martha Gilheaney is the 2010 Leitrim Rose. That gentleman on her arm is the Leitrim Escort - he is chosen to go straight to Tralee!. He is Jason Fox.

This picture is from Event Capture. Go there for great Rose photographs from all over Ireland.