Roses to bloom across the Midlands next week

Roses from all over the world will bloom across the Midlands next week in a whistle-stop tour of Ireland in the run-up to the beginning of the famous Kerry festival in Tralee on August 20 next. Local interest will centre on Aine Shine and Roisin Hunt, both from Ballymurray close to Knockcroghery, representing Liverpool and San Francisco respectively, who will be part of the 32-strong contingent arriving in Ballinasloe on Wednesday, August 18 during the four-day Rose Tour, which also takes in a stop in nearby Birr and Banagher in Offaly, Dublin, Clare and Limerick before arriving in Tralee. The trip begins with an official photo and press call with the Rose of Tralee TV Selection Host, Dáithí " Sé at RTE in Dublin on the morning of Tuesday August 17. The ladies will remain in Dublin for the day and night during which time they will visit historic and iconic Irish landmarks such as Kilmainham Gaol and the Guinness Storehouse, where they will learn to pull their own perfect pint of the black stuff. The lead sponsors of the Rose of Tralee, Newbridge Silverware will also welcome the Roses to their showrooms in Co Kildare, where they will be presented with some wonderful pieces of Newbridge Jewellery. After an overnight stay in the Carlton Dublin Airport Hotel, it will be onwards to Galway on Wednesday morning, stopping off for lunch at the County Arms Hotel in Birr, Co Offaly. The Roses will be given a lesson in how to play camogie with one of Offaly's best players, before a visit to the world famous Birr Castle Demesne. Later that day, the glitz and glamour of the Rose of Tralee will arrive in Ballinasloe where the group will be treated to a sumptuous banquet by Rose of Tralee sponsors The Carlton Hotel Group at the luxurious Carlton Shearwater Hotel. Thursday is the day not for anyone with a fear of heights as the Roses will visit one of Ireland's most beautiful locations - The Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare. They will then journey south to Limerick for another fun evening meal, this time with their Escorts, including Niall O'Brien from Rosemount at the Carlton Castletroy Hotel. With the excitement building, the ladies will be looking forward to Friday, the day that the 32 Roses from all over the globe will travel to Kerry for the beginning of the Rose of Tralee International Festival. They will travel the scenic route along the Shannon Estuary before stopping for refreshments at the renowned Kirby's Lanterns Hotel in Tarbert. Then it's on to the Carlton Hotel Tralee where the Roses will meet the 32 Rose Buds and the Festival kicks off in earnest until August 24. The 2010 Rose of Tralee will be crowned live on RTE 1 television on Tuesday, August 24. She will be presented with the perpetual tiara and trophy, a magnificent selection of Newbridge Jewellery, the use of a car for a year and a €25,000 World Prize from the Pilot Training College.