Roses set to create splash at 2010 Rose of Tralee Festival

THE 2010 Rose of Tralee International Festival certainly promises a splash of colour, a big wave from the 32 Roses and a magnificent line-up of free entertainment from Friday 20th to Tuesday 24th August.

Announcing the line-up of Festival events, alongside nine of this year’s international Roses in the picturesque Tralee Bay, the Managing Director of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, Anthony O’Gara, declared that the 2010 Festival will have something for everyone.

“We are presenting a cornucopia of carnival, fun, gala events, exciting concerts, free street entertainment, fun fares, parades, fireworks, circus and most importantly a rousing welcome from the people of Tralee. The highlight of every Festival is the International Rose Selection on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th of August in the Festival Dome. Sir Terry Wogan recently revisited our town, over 40 years after he hosted his first of three Rose selections and before going on to become a truly legendry Irish broadcaster. This year there will be another new man at the helm and for the first time…a Kerryman. We all wish Dáithí Ó Sé the very best of luck as our new Host.”

Once again the magic and enchantment of the International Rose Ball will provide a fitting start to the weeklong Festival with music from Brass & Co. This is an exciting 10-piece live band that offers a mix of music including Big Band, Swing, Disco, Motown, R&B and Rock & Roll.

Two words are synonymous with the Rose of Tralee International Festival - glitz and glamour. There will be an abundance of style on show in the Festival Dome at the Irish Examiner Autumn Winter Fashion Show in association with Victoria Jackson make-up on Sunday 22nd August.

A strong cast of hundreds of top quality acts ranging from rock sensations The Coronas to the internationally acclaimed Crystal Swing to children’s entertainers the Fanzini Brothers will perform free of charge in the streets and parks of Tralee. Birds Amusements offer all the fun of the fair at their now familiar home on Dan Spring Road but this year there will be a bonus for thrill-seekers. Due to popular demand, Birds will also be back in the town centre at the lower Abbey Car Park. Of course, no Rose of Tralee Festival would be the same without Fossetts Circus who will be pitching the Big Top at the entrance to the Carlton Hotel on Dan Spring Road.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from Friday 20th August to Wednesday 25th August. The 2010 Rose of Tralee will be crowned live on RTÉ 1 television on Tuesday 24th August. She will be presented with the perpetual tiara and trophy, a magnificent selection of Newbridge Jewellery, the use of a car for a year and a €25,000 World Prize from the Pilot Training College.

“We are encouraging anyone planning their holiday in Kerry this year to put the 20 to 25 of August in their diaries and choose Tralee as their destination.”

Tralee is a wonderful family holiday destination with the Aqua Dome, Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland and Kerry Museum. The Arnold Palmer-designed Tralee Golf Club is only seven miles from Tralee and there are a number of beautiful beaches within 15 minutes of the town centre.

Tralee is located 15 minutes from Kerry Airport, 90 minutes from Shannon Airport, 30 minutes from Killarney, 45 minutes from Dingle and only a short distance from the Ring of Kerry.

Tickets for the selection nights, Rose Ball, Irish Examiner Fashion Show and Party Nights in the Dome are now available.

For further information contact the Rose of Tralee International Festival Office on +353-66-7121322, info@roseoftralee.ie or www.roseoftralee.ie