A Mayo man has been selected to be one of the Rose Escorts at the Rose of Tralee International Festival which celebrates 60 years from August 23 to 27.
Pearce Maloney (25 ) a teacher from Foxford took park in the annual boot camp along the Wild Atlantic Way in Kerry, after which 32 men were shortlisted to accompany the Roses at this year’s festival in Tralee.
The lads, who already came through an interview process in April, had to pass several endurance tests and team-building exercises before they could graduate as fully-fledged Rose Escorts.
The Rose of Tralee International Festival’s Communications Manager, John Drummey, said: "The Rose Escorts spent three days in Kerry where they undertook a number of gruelling, yet fun, tasks to prepare them for the festival in August. The Boot Camp weekend in the Kingdom is a team-building exercise that is also designed to help them cope with the demands of a busy week in Tralee.
We are particularly grateful to our friends in Kerry County Council for putting together such a packed programme of activities throughout the magnificent Kingdom of Kerry."
The lads, all aged 21 to 30, had to carry out a range of activities including a hike over Carrauntoohill - Ireland’s highest mountain - cliff diving, abseiling, cookery, swimming, kayaking, surfing, ironing and sewing in order to prove they will have the stamina to be a Rose Escort.
This year’s Rose Escort Boot Camp activities were supported by Kerry County Council who played a major role in the transport and logistics of the event. Over the course of the weekend, the Rose Escorts experienced the visitor facilities in Killarney, Killorglin, Cappanalea, Rossbeigh Beach and Tralee.
