Local escorts ready for Rose of Tralee

There is a distinctly local flavour to this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival, with no fewer than seven escorts from Cavan and Monaghan preparing for one of Ireland’s most iconic festivals.

Oisín Kiernan of Ballymachugh, Conor Smith of Lavey, Gavin Brady of Belturbet/Redhills, Enda Shalvey of Maudabawn, Dave McKearney of Castleblayney, Shane McKenna of Truagh and Shane Treanor of Scotstown will all play a part as the festivities gets underway, August 14-18.

The Roses themselves, including hopefuls Gráinne Burns from Cavan Town and Emyvale’s Leah Murphy, have already set off on their National Rose Tour, starting out with a visit to the Galway Races last week, before arriving at the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim on Sunday, August 9.

But for the escorts, their journey to Kerry however begins today (Wednesday), August 12.

“There are a couple of carloads from Cavan and Monaghan travelling down together,” explains Belturbet/Redhills man Gavin Brady.

The real formalities begin on Thursday, when the escorts receive itineraries, and a list duties and responsibilities, before finally meeting the Roses that evening.

There is, Gavin says, a “speed-dating” element to the introductions, with escorts meeting all of the Roses during dinner before discovering the following morning who they will be paired with.

Then the pace really picks up.

“We’re talking about 16-hour days,” says Gavin, with parades, events and television appearances filling the schedule.

Far from seeing the festival as a relic of another era, Gavin believes the Rose of Tralee remains firmly embedded in Irish life.

“There’s nobody I’ve met who isn’t aware of it,” he said. “You’ll hear people say, ‘Ah, I stopped watching it,’ but then they’ll tell you, ‘I must watch it this year’.”

That enduring appeal has been reflected in the reaction here at home, where the seven escorts and local Roses have received an overwhelming outpouring of support.

“I’ve been amazed by the reaction,” Gavin tells the Celt. “The well-wishes and support have been phenomenal.”

For Shane McKenna from Truagh, the build-up has been particularly hectic. He has only recently returned from Philadelphia, where the Clones schoolteacher spent the summer on a J1 visa whilst also playing football with Young Irelanders.

Most of what needed to be done had to be organised before heading to America, knowing there would be little time to prepare after his return. Despite missing a get-together with the other escorts in Carrick-on-Shannon over the August Bank Holiday, Shane is relishing the week ahead.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said, adding that the growing excitement surrounding the Roses has made the countdown even more special.

The seven Cavan and Monaghan escorts have already formed strong friendships.

For Gavin, that camaraderie is one of the highlights of an experience he would already recommend.

“If was all to end in the morning, I’ll be honest, I’ve had a whale of a time,” he said. “It’s a totally unique and worthwhile experience.”