Roses to descend on Ballinasloe next week
All the glitz and glamour of the Rose of Tralee is set to descend on Ballinasloe on Wednesday, August 17 next as the 32 participants stop off overnight in the town as part of the nationwide Rose Tour. Every year the International Roses begin their Rose of Tralee International Festival experience with a five-day tour through Ireland from Dublin to Tralee and this year's trip also takes in Athy, Ballinasloe, Birr, parts of Limerick and Clare along the way. Local interest in this year's competition centres on Roscommon Rose Roisin Guihen, the Sydney Rose Caroline Harney whose mother also hails from the county and Edmonton Rose Tara Keigher who traces her Irish heritage back to her grandparents from Dublin and Roscommon. Meanwhile, Chicago Rose Siobhan Carroll has ties to Westmeath as her mother hails from Mullingar. The tour begins on Monday, August 15 with a visit to Newbridge Silverware where the ladies will enjoy a cocktail reception and dinner followed by entertainment in the form of a Newbridge Style Evening. The following day, the stylish Roses have a photo and press call with Rose of Tralee host, Dáithí " Sé at the RTÉ Television Centre in Dublin before journeying to the Guinness Storehouse for a tour. Later that evening they will enjoy a champagne reception and gala dinner at the Carlton Blanchardstown Hotel before returning to their Dublin base, the Carlton Dublin Airport Hotel, for their last night in the capital. On Wednesday morning they leave Dublin for Athy and the Carlton Abbey Hotel where they will be greeted by the current Rose of Tralee and a native of the town, Clare Kambamettu. Later in the day, the 32 Roses will visit Birr in Co Offaly, from which a succession of vintage cars will collect them and take them to the Carlton Shearwater Hotel & C Spa, Ballinasloe. That evening the hotel will host a drinks reception for the Roses and dinner, followed by an Evening of the Arts which includes live performances from local theatre and musical groups. It promises to be an evening of first class live entertainment with a cocktail drinks reception plus a gourmet buffet with wine. Tickets for the event are only €20 and must be booked in advance. Call 090 9630400 for further details. After an overnight stay in Ballinasloe, the lucky Roses will receive relaxing and indulgent spa treatments at the hotel.