Thirty-two international Rose of Tralee contestants attended the Rose Ball in Barberstown Castle as part of a two-day tour arranged and sponsored by tourism body Into Kildare.
The schedule included cultural, historical, culinary, and sporting activities, with the Roses experiencing various attractions and engaging in hands-on experiences.
The Roses also visited the K Club, Kildare Parish Church, and Silken Thomas in Kildare Town, where they participated in activities and enjoyed traditional music and cuisine.
The tour concluded with the Roses enjoying a golf clinic at Carton House and a driving experience at Mondello Park before attending a glamourous Rose Ball at Barberstown Castle Hotel.
Áine Mangan of Kildare tourism said, “the international media attention that goes with the International Rose of Tralee Festival is extremely important for tourism for County Kildare. This county has much to offer visitors from historical castles and houses to sustainable food and luxurious accommodation. There is a lot to see and do here and we are very grateful to the organisers of the Rose of Tralee Festival for including Kildare in the Rose’s schedule. Thanks too to the girls themselves who were great fun and really got stuck into all the activities. It just leaves us to say the very best of luck to all the contestants and we hope to welcome you and your families to Kildare again. Best of luck too, to our very own Rose of Kildare, Catherine Cunningham who hails from my own hometown, Rathangan.”
The International Rose of Tralee festival takes place this year in Tralee, Co. Kerry (Ireland) from the 16-20th of September.
See www.roseoftralee.ie and www.intokildare.ie
