Press release – 26th July 2009

Escorts “line out” for Rose of Tralee 50 Year celebrations

THERE was a new look to the line-out at Thomond Park, Limerick today when the Shannon Development Escorts for the 2009 Rose of Tralee International Festival from August 21st to 29th were unveiled for the first time.

The 50 Escorts who are from all over Ireland and the USA had already gone through an application and interview process, before being put through their paces at the home of Munster Rugby by the reigning Rose of Tralee, Aoife Kelly, and nine of this year’s Roses.

Colm Croffy, the Escort Co-ordinator for the Rose of Tralee International Festival said: “We’ve been really impressed by the quality and calibre of the Irish Gentleman applying this year. The comradery between the Escorts bodes well and I’m confident that the Roses will be very happy with the Escort team for the Festival this year. They will really make the Roses’ Mammies swoon!”

“All the guys will be expected to be at their respective Roses’ every beck and call for a whole week and one lucky guy will leave Tralee with the accolade of being the Shannon Development Escort of the Year,” Colm added.

The winner will be announced on RTE 1 television on Tuesday 25th August, which is the first of the two televised Rose Selection nights. He will take away a cheque for €1000 and a James Bond weekend in the Shannon Region.

Speaking about the Company’s involvement with the Rose of Tralee International Festival, John Brassil, Chairman, Shannon Development said: “This year Shannon Development shares a 50th anniversary celebration with the Rose of Tralee Festival, as the regional development agency for the Shannon Region we are delighted to mark the occasion. The Festival attracts around one million TV viewers in Ireland and overseas and has a wide international following thanks to the Rose of Tralee Centres around the world. Many Roses and their families use the opportunity to holiday in Ireland. We hope to encourage additional visitors to the wider Region and explore other business possibilities around the Festival.”

The Rose of Tralee International Festival will celebrate 50 years from 21st to 29th August with a week-long programme of entertainment in the Topaz Dome and on the streets of T ralee.

Ends

For further information please contact: John Drummey, Communications Manager, Rose of Tralee International Festival on 087-7909487 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Note to editors:

The 2008 Escort of the Year, Donal Droney (Kildare), is automatically eligible to be an Escort again this year.

The 2009 Escorts are from: Kerry (6), Dublin (8), Cork (8), Galway (5), Wexford (4), Tipperary (3), Limerick (1), Louth (1), USA (2), Kildare (2), Tyrone (1), Roscommon (1), Longford (1), Kilkenny (1), Wicklow (1), Meath (1), Mayo (1), Monaghan (1), Carlow (1), Westmeath (1)

The 50 Escorts will first meet the 50 Roses on Thursday 20th August at the Carlton Castletroy Hotel. They will not know who they are paired with until the Roses arrive in Tralee on Friday 21st August.

You can download the Press Release by clicking here

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