IT'S a good week for the Roses, and it began last Wednesday when the 33 contestants for this year's Rose of Tralee Festival arrived in Dublin to begin a busy round of receptions, dinners and public appearances.
As soon as they stepped gracefully off the plane, the Roses were brought to the Aer Rianta VIP lounge for morning coffee, then whisked off to the Guinness Brewery for a lunch to meet the festival's president, Seamus O'Halloran, and the judging panel, which this year includes former Rose of Tralee presenter Gay Byrne.
The women were also introduced to their inquisitor for this year, Derek Davis, who will be presenting the Rose selection programmes on RTE for the second year in a row.
"I have to make friends with all the Roses so they can get to know me and realise that I'm not going to humiliate them on TV," quipped a trim looking Mr Davis. "I'm looking forward to Thursday night when it's all over - there's a lot of hard work and a lot of pressure and it does drain you." He glanced over towards his predecessor: "It says a lot for that hard man over there that he survived it for 17 years."
Mr Davis is surprised but not displeased that RTE has chosen him to present the Rose of Tralee again. "I didn't even expect to be doing it a second year, but I certainly wouldn't turn it dawn you can't argue with a million viewers!"
After the buffet lunch, the Roses were brought to the Burlington Hotel, and no sooner had they checked in than they had to change into cocktail wear for dinner and more meeting and greeting. Thursday morning began with a reception at Iveagh House with the Tanaiste, Dick Spring, after which the party departed for Heuston Station where a luxury class train was ready to whisk them to Mallow. After a visit to Blarney Woollen Mills, the contingent continued on to Cork where dinner, entertainment and a welcome night's sleep was provided at Jury's Hotel.
On Friday morning the Lord Mayor of Cork, Alderman Jim Corr, gave the Roses a civic reception at City Hall, and the elegant entourage finally reached Tralee yesterday afternoon: there, they finally got to meet the dashing escorts who will accompany them throughout the week's festivities. With another six days' of socialising still in store, these young men will certainly need some of Gay Byrne's stamina.
