Roses Mark Summer’s End

In a sure sign that the summer season is ending, the Roses of Tralee are on tour ahead of the annual festival.

Thirty-two international Rose of Tralee contestants visited Kildare this week, taking in cultural, historical, culinary and sporting activities hosted by Into Kildare, the tourism body for County Kildare. Kildare Rose Catherine Cunningham was proud to showcase her home county.

The Roses made their first stop off at Barberstown Castle in Straffan, where they were officially welcomed by the hotel’s general manager, Ted Robinson, and Áine Mangan, CEO of Into Kildare. The ladies were presented with Newbridge Silverware St. Brigid’s lapel pins.

Next stop was The K Club where they enjoyed a “cook off” with The K Club’s executive chef, Gary O’Hanlon. The K Club are one of the participating hotels and restaurants in this year’s Taste of Kildare Food Festival, and the cooking activation provided just a little taste of things to come at this year’s event which takes place on 20-22 September at Naas Racecourse.

A stop off at the Silken Thomas in Kildare Town was next on the schedule where the Roses enjoyed traditional music and Guinness cake. Under the guidance of Brian Flanagan, director at Silken Thomas, they got the chance to pour their own pint of the black stuff!

Next morning the Roses headed off to Carton House for a golf clinic with Director of Golf Liam McCool.  They were also treated to a delectable afternoon tea in the sun hosted by Martin Mangan, general manager, and Triona Flood, commercial director.

The itinerary concluded with a Rose Ball at Barberstown Castle Hotel.

The International Rose of Tralee festival takes place this year in Tralee, Co. Kerry (Ireland), from 16-20 September.