Rose Tour: Day 1 - Co Kildare

The Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland’s largest and longest running festivals. It features the selection of the Rose of Tralee, an international event that involves young women of Irish descent from Ireland and around the world. Every year more than 30 International Roses come to Tralee, supported by friends and family. All eyes are on the Roses, who travel from the UK, America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East and of course Ireland to take part in the festival, the essence of which is based on the popular song of the same name.

The festival comprises the Rose of Tralee selection, family carnivals, fashion show and live concerts. The town’s streets are transformed into a feast of parades, music, circus, funfair, markets and traditional Irish entertainment. Why not join the fun?
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The Roses made their first stop off at Barberstown Castle in Straffan yesterday, where they were officially welcomed by the hotel’s General Manager Ted Robinson and Áine Mangan, CEO of Into Kildare. The ladies were presented with Newbridge Silverware St Brigid’s lapel pins to celebrate their visit to the county.

Next, the contestants made their way to the nearby K Club where they enjoyed a ‘cook off’ with The K Club’s Executive Chef Gary O’Hanlon. The K Club are one of the participating hotels and restaurants in this year’s Taste of Kildare Food Festival.

Later in the afternoon the Roses visited Kildare Parish Church where they saw the holy relics of St Brigid which are now on permanent display at the church. The sacred relics of the patron saint of Kildare returned to the county after nearly a millennium in early 2024 and have been visited by thousands of people since they officially went on display.

The Roses made their way from the Parish Church to the Square in Kildare town where local schoolchildren presented them with traditional St Brigid’s crosses made from rushes. A stop off at the Silken Thomas in Kildare town saw the Roses enjoy traditional music and Guinness cake.