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A SPARKLING future lies ahead for the Rose of Tralee International Festival after the Rose of Tralee, Elysha Brennan and RTÉ presenter Dáithí Ó Sé unveiled premium Irish giftware brand Tipperary Crystal as the new lead sponsor.

The announcement at the Tipperary Crystal Showroom at Arnotts Department Store, Dublin, this morning came ahead of this year’s extended and bigger than ever Rose of Tralee International Festival from August 17-23.

Dáithí Ó Sé presented Elysha Brennan with her new Rose of Tralee sash bearing the Tipperary Crystal brand but the public will have to wait until Tuesday, August 23, to see the new tiara, created by Tipperary Crystal, which will be presented to the 2016 Rose of Tralee in the Festival Dome live on RTÉ One television.

The executive chair of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, Anthony O’Gara, said: “We are proud to run a great international festival. It is unique and it has stood the test of time. The Rose of Tralee is one of the strongest and most iconic brands that we have in Ireland. Sustaining and growing that brand requires passion, commitment, creativity plenty of hard work and a commitment to excellence. We are delighted to team-up with Tipperary Crystal who we believe will be a strong partner for the Festival going forward. When the Roses wear the exquisite jewellery pieces that Tipperary Crystal have designed for over five hours of live TV in August they will herald a new order in jewellery and giftware retail sales in the Irish market.”

The managing director of Tipperary Crystal, Robbie Scanlan, said: “Tipperary Crystal and the Rose of Tralee are two iconic Irish brands that both have a real and tangible sense of modern Ireland. Tipperary Crystal has evolved into a contemporary giftware company that reflects the Ireland of today and now has the perfect vehicle through the Rose of Tralee to showcase the Tipperary Crystal Jewellery collection. There is just such a fantastic fit between the two brands.”

Arnotts Department Store has been a partner to Tipperary Crystal over the years and this historic location was chosen as the venue to let the country know of the new partnership between Tipperary Crystal and Rose of Tralee. The commercial manager of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, Steve Cronly, said: “Sponsorship at all levels plays a key role in the ongoing success of our event. We are delighted to welcome on board all our new and returning sponsors who continue to enjoy the benefits of being associated with Ireland’s flagship festival.”

This year’s extended Rose of Tralee Festival will run for seven days from August 17-23 and tickets to all Dome and Street events are now available from www.RoseofTralee.ie.
 

 
Rose of Tralee Elysha Brennan and RTÉ presenter Dáithí Ó Sé at the Rose of Tralee sponsorship launch event Arnotts Department Store, Dublin, this morning. PICTURE: DOMNICK WALSH