Your Rose of Tralee survival guide
Are you heading down to the world famous festival to embark on a five-day marathon, or do you just fancy popping to Tralee to catch a bit of atmos?
Here's your Official Rose of Tralee survival guide!
Just a few things we think are essentials to survive the world famous festival:
You’ll find hundreds of mini Snow Whites and Elsas walking the town over the weekend, securing their favourite Roses' autographs in their handmade autograph and scrapbooks, so why not dress up and join in the fun?!
Go on - don’t lie. You secretly need an excuse to dress up as your favourite Disney princess anyway …
(Pro tip: Fells Point Hotel is a gem for all Rose/celeb sightings over the weekend … not speaking from experience or anything *cough*)
Trade in your plastic crown and dress for a pink cowboy hat and poncho as it rains!
Denny Street and The Square are the places to be over the weekend with Union J and Walking on Cars taking to the stages, but as we haven't figured out how to secure a roof on this country of ours yet, be prepared with your handy poncho and hat so you can brave the elements and let loose on the streets of Tralee!
Oh looky here … surprise! surprise!
It may be just a big tent but you cannot beat the craic of hundreds of Kerry’s finest let out after the silage on a Saturday night!
Feeling fancy?
Don’t forget your gladrags for the annual Rose of Tralee fashion show and/or the prestigious Rose Ball to rub shoulders with the cream of Irish celebrities.
This year, International designer and Kerryman Don O’Neil will deubt his THEIA autumn winter collection for the third year running. Don O’Neil has dressed Oprah and Taylor Swift on numerous occasions so, if you bump into him, now is the time to ask him for all his style tips.
Lovely chatting with @talkaboutrk this morning !! So excited about the festival and the #roseoftralee #fashionShow on Sunday night! Woohoo!
— THEIA (@THEIACOUTURE) August 11, 2014
Travelling to the festival supporting a Rose?
Jerseys, facepaints, banners, drums and flags are all out in force! The bigger and brighter, the better, as the competition is getting fierce.
(You might even make it into the parade)
If you're not there to support a particular contestant, dust off your cowboy hat to support the out-going Rose Haley O’Sullivan from Texas.
Grab your nearest niece/nephew or son/daughter and make the most of all the entertainment the family festival has to offer.
You could enter the famous Rose of Tralee Bonnie Baby competition, use them as an excuse to ride the waltzers or even visit Fossett Circus.
(We all know you want your face painted - how about a Dora balloon?!)
Pull out deck chairs to secure a good spot on Denny street for the famous Saturday night parade.
The Irish answer to the Disney Magical Kingdom’s Parade (excuse the kingdom pun) attracts hundreds from all over county so securing the best spot in plenty of time is a must.
From marching bands to real life toy soldiers the parade is a must see, so stock up on candy floss and penny sweets while you wait for the excitement to make its way through the town.
... if not you can catch the parade Sunday too.
Don’t forget your best ‘front facing camera’ and selfie face over the weekend as you never know who you could bump into!
This year X Factor’s Union J will be performing and Nidge from Love/Hate will be attending the Donal Walsh #LiveLife disco on Saturday night. You never know who could be the next face on your camera roll … best be ready.
It's not a festival without food stalls, and there is nothing better than a crepe from the French market or an American hot dog from a vender, but we’ll let you in on a secret …
When all the chip vans close at the end of the night, Raja's Kebab House at the bottom of Castle Street delivers till 3/4am!
Why not impress our international guests by learning a cúpla focal in their native tongue?
You might even impress a Rose or two!
Each Rose is twinned with a pub in Tralee. The pub takes on the theme of the Rose - that's why the Munster bar is decked out in stetsons (Texas Rose) - so use that info to show off your 'language' skills.
Can’t make it to the festival and have a serious case of FOMO?
Follow them on Twitter @Roseoftralee_ , like their Facebook Page and Add them on Snapchat: theroseoftralee so you don’t miss a beat!
