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AS THE Rose of Tralee International Festival gets set to blossom this week, Kerry County Council will be rolling out the red carpet for this year’s contestants tonight.

The Roses will be feted at a civic welcome in The Square, Tralee, at 9pm, when they will be greeted by the Mayor of Tralee and the Mayor of Kerry.

There will also be music performances followed by a reception at Kirby's Brogue Inn.

Meanwhile, expect 84 hours of entertainment in The Square over the duration of the extended Rose of Tralee International Festival. Only 15 hours of this will controlled by a ticket system.

The general public will be restricted from accessing The Square at certain times to ensure control of numbers to artists who potentially would have a large following and, as has been the case since 2011, to help towards the increased street entertainment €330,000 expenditure budget.

The key request from festival organisers to the general public is to cooperate with the volunteers who have given their time, free of charge, to ensure that everyone enjoys the festival in comfort and safety.

The all-weather saddle-span Dome Roof over the stage in The Square will create a more ambient and chilled vibe to the evening concerts at the venue, five of which are controlled by ticket and the remaining two (Saturday 20th and Tuesday 23) free to the public.

How will festival-goers access The Square?

The entrance to The Square during security ticket control times is located via the North West corner, next to Carraig Donn, with an exit only to the north east (next to Dan Fitzgerald’s) and south west (next to An Cearnóg).

Access to businesses will be restricted at these times (after 7pm), while provisions have been made with some businesses located on the corners of The Square to have controlled public access into their premises.

Security and festival management will endeavour to facilitate the public as much as is practicable and, as has been the case in recent years during ticketed events on Denny Street, patrons of businesses in The Square have been asked to take note of the times when security controls will be in place.

Full details of all entertainment acts due to perform in The Square – day and night – are available from www.roseoftralee.ie and on Facebook.

The event controller, Bryan Carr, said: “The festival must adhere to strict risk assessed guidelines including legislation regarding control and management of events both indoor and outdoor. While we appreciate people may have concerns in relation to these events; rest assured that just as previous festivals we want to ensure another safe and incident free festival for visitors and local alike to enjoy. We would like to thank all the businesses in advanced for their continued support of the Festival and we ask the general public to support and promote our Festival to make it a successful and safe event for 2016.”

So, what’s happening on Denny Street?

If you enjoyed watching Buckingham Palace come to life through the magic of light during Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, then you won’t want to miss the spectacular Illumination of Ashe Memorial Hall. The show from 10pm to midnight on Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th and Friday 19th will celebrate Tralee’s 800-year history, the 1916 Rising Centenary and 57 years of the Rose of Tralee.

And yes, contrary to what some people have said, there will be live music on both ends of Denny Street and a stage will be located in front of the Ashe Memorial Hall for the three parades on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday and for the free Garda Band and Willis Clan concerts on Sunday, August 21.

Once again, in order to accommodate the large crowds of people who are looking forward to enjoying all the fun of the festival, the following roads will be closed as follows:

Bridge Street, The Mall and The Square:

· Wednesday, August 17: 7pm-1am
· Thursday, August 18: 7pm-1am
· Friday, August 19: 7pm-1am
· Saturday, August 20: 12pm-2am
· Sunday, August 21: 12pm-2am
· Monday, August 22: 8pm - 2am
· Tuesday, August 23: 8pm-2am

Lower Castle Street R875, Lower Ashe Street and Courthouse Lane:

· Wednesday 17th Aug: 7pm-1am
· Thursday 18th Aug: 7pm-1am
· Friday 19th Aug: 7pm-1am
· Saturday 20th Aug: 12pm-2am
· Sunday 21st Aug: 12pm-2am
· Monday 22nd Aug: 8pm - 2am
· Tuesday 23rd Aug: 8pm-2am

Denny Street R875

· Wednesday 17th Aug: 7pm-1am
· Thursday 18th Aug: 7pm-1am
· Friday 19th Aug: 7pm-1am
· Saturday 20th Aug: 12pm-2am
· Sunday 21st Aug: 12pm-2am
· Monday 22nd Aug: 8pm - 2am
· Tuesday 23rd Aug: 8pm-2am

Denny Street R875 (West Side)

· Tuesday 16th August: 5pm to Wednesday 24th August 1am to facilitate Food and Craft Village

Dan Spring Road to Kearney’s Road

· Saturday 20th August: 2pm-6pm (Local Access permitted from Dan Spring Rd to Aqua Dome, Wetlands & Spring Well Gardens) to facilitate Red Rose Soap Box Derby

Upper Ashe Street (East Side)

· Tuesday 23rd August: 10.30pm - 11.30pm (To facilitate the Festival Parade)

Rock Street Lower (East Side)

· Sunday 21st August: 12.30pm - 1.30pm (To facilitate the Festival 10K Road Race)

Full details of all festival events, which are subject to change, are available from www.roseoftralee.ie, Facebook.com/roseoftraleefestival, Twitter @roseoftralee_ and from the official brochure, on sale from Festival Office, Kerry Book Shop, Hussey’s Newsagents, Oaklands Daybreak, Garvey’s Supervalu and First Chapter at Manor West Retail Park.
 

 
Rose of Tralee Elysha Brennan and RTE and Rose of Tralee presenter Daithi O Se. PICTURE: DOMNICK WALSH