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SIX young Kerry men have been lauded as the perfect gentlemen as they proved they have what it takes to play a key role as escorts in this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival.

Jackie Healy-Rae Junior (22), Thomas Lynch (28), Joseph Meehan (24), Sean O'Connor (26), Niall O'Hara (28) and Shane Thornton (27), who already impressed through an interview process at the Glen Royal Hotel in Maynooth in April, were put through their paces over the bank holiday weekend at the annual escort bootcamp along the Wild Atlantic Way in Kerry.

Kilgarvan native Jackie is the son of Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae, and is looking forward to taking on the coveted role of escort at the Rose of Tralee festival which runs from August 16 to 22. “It should be something a bit different!” he told Killarney Advertiser.

Jackie, together with Thomas, Castleisland, Joseph, of Doon, Tralee, Sean O’Connor, Waterville and Killarney, Shane Thornton, Listowel, and London-raised Niall O’Hara, whose mum is from Camp and whose dad is from Leitrim, were selected to be among the 64 Rose Escorts at this year’s festival.

They had to pass a number of endurance tests and team-building exercises before they could graduate as fully-fledged escorts.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival’s Communications Manager, John Drummey, said: “The Rose Escorts spent three days in Kerry where they undertook a number of gruelling, yet fun, tasks to prepare them for the festival in August. It was not because the ladies love Milk Tray but because the lads prefer Roses. Around 200 men aged between 21 and 30 applied to become Rose Escorts at this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival and following a detailed interview process, the final 64, the most ever, were selected to take part in a Boot Camp weekend in the Kingdom to help them cope with the demands of a busy week in Tralee.”

The lads had to carry out a range activities including a hike over Mount Brandon – Ireland’s second highest mountain – cliff diving, water-skiing, cycling, turf-footing, abseiling, kayaking, surfing, ironing and sewing in order to prove they will have the stamina to be a Rose Escort.

This year’s Rose Escort Bootcamp activities were supported by Kerry County Council and Kerry Civil Defence, under Civil Defence Officer Tom Brosnan, who played a major role in the transport and logistics of the event.

Over the course of the weekend, the Rose Escorts experienced the visitor facilities in Castlegregory, Derrynane, Waterville, Valentia Island, Dingle, Kerry Head and Tralee.

Looking ahead to the year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival, one of the 64 lads will be selected as the Rose Escort of the Year live on RTÉ One on Monday, August 21.

The 2016 Escort of the Year, John Slowey from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, said: “Having been selected as the Escort of the Year was nothing short of a great honour. The opportunity to represent a fantastic group and to accompany our Rose of Tralee, Maggie McEldowney, at numerous events has been a brilliant experience. I've travelled extensively attending many charity events and Rose reunions while also working closely with a fantastic Rose of Tralee Team who couldn't have done any more for me. I’ve made memories and friendships that will be cherished forever.”

Full details of this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival are available from www.roseoftralee.ie, Facebook and Twitter @roseoftralee_.

 
Above: Jackie Healy-Rae Junior, fifth from left, with Conor Halpin (Waterford); Paul Fitzgerald (Limerick); Conor Sheridan (Offaly); Maggie McEldowney (Rose of Tralee); and Joseph Meehan (Kerry). PICTURE: DOMNICK WALSH PHOTOGRAPHY