Published: Wednesday, 7th July, 2010 5:30pm

Rosemount native picked as escort for Rose of Tralee

Rosemount is set to get rosier! Come this August, locals will be glued to their televisions to spot local lad Niall O'Brien, who will represent the village as an escort at this year's Rose of Tralee International Festival.

The 25-year-old, well known locally as the Secretary of Rosemount GAA club, was chosen as one of the 32 escorts for this year's competition taking place from August 20 to 24 next, something he admitted he's really looking forward to after travelling to the Kerry town in previous years to support the former Westmeath Roses Edel O'Connor and Marisa Murray.

"I saw the craic at that stage and I thought I wouldn't mind having a go at that," a delighted Niall, who was picked from 16 Westmeath natives vying to become an escort, said this week. The final list of escorts was unveiled after a two-day bootcamp recently in Ballinasloe, where participants undertook a number of tasks that would test their capability of being up to the standard required to be a perfect gentlemen.

"I'm delighted to get the chance. I'm going to make 62 new friends at least between escorts and Roses. It should be a great week."

A plasterer, and part-time bar man in the Auld Shebeen in Moate, Niall has also recently completed his first year of a part-time Business Studies course at Athlone Institute of Technology. With the results being good, he is now turning his attention to the build-up to the festival and seeing which Rose he is paired up for the duration of the week-long festivities.

"That is (Rose of Tralee) my holiday, although I might need another one after," he joked this week. Of course, the Rosemount native will also be in the running for the title of Escort of the Year which will be announced live on RTÉ 1 television on Monday, August 23.

So what does he reckon his duties will entail as an escort at the Rose of Tralee? "Well, I think the role is simple, make sure the Roses have the week of their lives. Do everything to make sure she enjoys herself, is relaxed and has everything she needs, but also to have a bit of craic as well," he enthused.

Not so well up on fake tan, cosmetics or nails, the very items Roses may need their escorts help with, the affable 25-year-old admitted that he may need a bootcamp before he goes to Tralee to learn about girly glam.

"My sister and my female friends will surely give me the lowdown," he laughed.

In a new departure for the festival this year, all escorts will take part in a fundraising campaign for the charity organisation 1Life Turn the Tide of Suicide, a new organisation setting up helplines nationwide prior to heading to Tralee.

"Over the next few weeks I will be fundraising for 1 Life, which is a very good cause. So I'd ask people to watch out for events," Niall commented.

The 2010 Rose of Tralee International Festival will begin on Friday, August 20 with the Gala Rose Ball. The televised selections will take place on Monday, July 23 and Tuesday, July 24 with the 2010 Rose of Tralee being announced live on RTE 1 television on the final night.

Full details of all the International Roses, Escorts and Festival events are available from www.roseoftralee.ie.