Rose of Tralee

                               
                                     ROSE OF TRALEE
The Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of the largest and longest running festivals in Ireland, celebrating 58 years in 2017. The heart of the festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to County Kerry, Ireland for a global celebration of Irish culture. The festival also includes street entertainment, carnival, live concerts, theatre, circus, markets, funfair, fireworks and Rose Parades.



Why am I writing about this event? Because I had this incredible opportunity to participate in the festival and... I loved it!

That's a photo of fourteen-year-old me in Tralee.

During the festival roses are visible on every street. 

The festival hits prime time television in Ireland and is watched by nearly a million people, while in Tralee itself a carnival atmosphere prevails as the Roses are paraded on floats through the streets accompanied by open air concerts. 
From its humble beginnings in 1959, when the festival budget was just £750, the Rose Of Tralee has emerged as one of the most important events in the Irish social calendar, second only to St Patrick's Day for its colour, fervour and popularity. And that's only because St Patrick's Day is declared a public holiday!


REMEMBER! Being in August in Ireland do not forget to visit Tralee!

""The pale moon was rising above the green mountain,

The sun was declining beneath the blue sea;

When I strayed with my love to the pure crystal fountain,

That stands in the beautiful Vale of Tralee.

She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,

Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me;

Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning,

That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee."