Roscommon personal trainer takes part in action-packed Rose Escort bootcamp

Roscommon native Kaylem Holian has taken part in an action-packed Rose Escort bootcamp at the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee, ahead of this year's Rose of Tralee International Festival.

The 24-year-old personal trainer is one of 32 young men have been selected as the official Rose Escorts.

Rose Escort chaperone Mark Irwin said Bootcamp is a key part of the Festival experience.

“The Bootcamp is where it all starts,” he said. “It is where friendships are formed and the nerves get shaken off. Tralee in August is like nothing else, and these lads are in for the experience of a lifetime.”

Over the next 48 hours, the group took part in a packed itinerary that brought them across the Kingdom and back, travelling with O’Shea’s of Kerry coaches.

From galloping along the water’s edge with O’Connor’s Horse Riding in Castlegregory to surfing and water sports with Jamie Knox, the weekend had no shortage of action. There were whiskey tastings with Kingdom Whiskey Tasting Experience, dolphin sightings with Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours and a well-earned pit stop at Páidí Ó Sé’s legendary pub.

After a morning of intense activity on the water, the group continued to Dingle for a boat tour around Dingle Bay before finishing the day with a hearty barbecue and singalong session at Paul Geaney’s pub. Rumours of impromptu boyband auditions in the beer garden remain unconfirmed.

The next day brought an early wake-up call and a visit to Tralee Bay Wetlands, where the Rose Escorts were put through their paces with rock-climbing challenges before taking on a leg-burning paddle boat race.

Then it was on to Tralee Fire Station for a hands-on training session with Kerry Fire and Rescue Service, because a Rose Escort must always be ready to leap into action.

The Bootcamp came to a close with a final brunch back at the Meadowlands Hotel, where the lads were reunited with their phones and treated to a hearty breakfast before heading home.

The 32 Rose Escorts come from Antrim, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo and Waterford.

While their backgrounds are as varied as their accents, all 32 have one thing in common: they will be on hand in Tralee this August to help the Roses shine.

The 2026 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from August 14 to 18 in Tralee, Co Kerry.

The Rose Escort of the Year will be announced live on stage on Monday, August 17, on RTÉ, with hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas.

Tickets for the live televised nights are on sale now at www.roseoftralee.ie