Kildare to play host to prestigious Rose Tour ahead of 2017 Rose of Tralee International Festival

Kildare to play host to prestigious Rose Tour ahead of 2017 Rose of Tralee International Festival

LAST year's day-long Rose experience in Kildare was so successful, the county will double the hospitality in 2017 and welcome the International Roses for two-days next August, before the Rose of Tralee International Festival.

The Rose of Tralee, Maggie McEldowney flew in from Chicago today to join the Mayor of Kildare, Cllr Ivan Keatley, to announce details of this year’s authentic Kildare Rose of Tralee Tour Programme.

Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth will be the home to the Roses for two nights on 13th and 14th August, while Kildare Fáilte and Kildare County Council will facilitate a "behind the scenes" tour of key Kildare flagship locations such as The K Club, Kildare Village, the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens and Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Centre.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival Managing Director, Anthony O’Gara, said: “We thank Kildare County Council, the Glenroyal Hotel and the many wonderful tourist attractions in Kildare for inviting the Roses enjoy your county again this year. We are grateful to the people of Kildare who have opened their county to welcome the Roses.”

The Kildare Tourism Rose of Tralee Showcase will commence with a Civic Reception at the headquarters of Kildare County Council, Naas on Sunday 13th August.

Mr. Peter Carey, CEO, Kildare County Council stated "Kildare County Council, in partnership with our Tourism attractions, will welcome all the 2017 Roses, that will compete for the title of Rose of Tralee later in the month, to experience a short break in Kildare. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote Kildare as a county to visit and spend some time exploring and enjoying wealth of experiences. We wish the Rose contestants from near and far, as well as their families, a wonderful stay in Kildare, and we hope that they will gather wonderful memories to share with friends and relations"


Over the course of their two-day tour of Kildare, the Roses will visit the world renowned five star luxury K Club. Home to two championship golf courses and the 2016 Irish Open, The K Club is Ireland’s first AA Red Star Property.

The Roses will look forward to being introduced to Kildare’s living Equine legacy at the Irish National Stud & Gardens. Home to equine royalty and the world famous Japanese Gardens, the Roses will be immersed in the very essence of Ireland's thoroughbred industry.

The Kildare Experience would not be complete without enjoying a VIP shopping outing and Style event at the Kildare Village.  Nestled within landscaped grounds and presented in an authentic village environment, a world of luxury awaits visitors at Kildare Village with over 80 fashion and lifestyle boutiques to choose from. 

The Roses can look forward to swapping their heels for some wellies at Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park, Ireland’s only attraction that offers a comprehensive insight into the Irish Peatlands on the Bog of Allen.

The Glenroyal Hotel will not only offer a warm welcome to the Roses and their entourage, but the Festival Judges, RTÉ production team and TV Host Dáithí� Ó Sé will be made to feel at home as they prepare for the Festival in Tralee.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival will run from Wednesday 16th to Tuesday 22nd August when the 2017 Rose of Tralee is crowned in the Festival Dome live on RTÉ One.


For more information about this year’s Festival events, Roses and entertainment line-up, please visit www.roseoftralee.ie.

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