Tralee prepares to celebrate 50 Years of Rose of Tralee International Festival

THE Rose of Tralee International Festival, Ireland’s premier family event, will celebrate 50 Years from 21 to 26 August 2009.

The main focus of local, national and worldwide attention will be the selection of the 2009 International Rose of Tralee which will happen after two nights of television coverage live from the Dome on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th of August.

The Festival will begin with the social event of the year in Kerry – the International Rose Ball on Friday 21st August. On Saturday 22nd, the town will come alive as the Grand Parade – complete with marching bands, floats, Roses, vintage cars and much more - winds its way through the streets of Tralee.

The biggest fashion show in Munster will be held in the Dome on Sunday 23rd and live music entertainment and fun will continue on the streets for the duration of the festival.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival is based on the love song The Rose of Tralee, by William Mulchinock a 19th century wealthy merchant who was in love with Mary O'Connor, his maid.

The Festival as it is today stems from Tralee's Carnival Queen, once a thriving annual town event, fallen by the wayside due to post-war emigration. In 1957 Race Week Carnival was resurrected in Tralee that featured a Carnival Queen.

A year later a group of local business people met in Harty's Bar in Tralee and decided to revamp the Carnival in a way that would regenerate the town, encourage tourism and keep the race crowd in town overnight.

“We are encouraging anyone planning their holiday in Kerry this year to put the 21 to 26 of August in their diaries and choose Tralee as their destination.”

Tralee is a wonderful family holiday destination with the Aqua Dome, Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland and Kerry Museum. The Arnold Palmer-designed Tralee Golf Club is only seven miles from Tralee and there are a number of beautiful beaches within 15 minutes of the town centre.

Tralee is located 15 minutes from Kerry Airport, 90 minutes from Shannon Airport, 30 minutes from Killarney, 45 minutes from Dingle and only a short distance from the Ring of Kerry.

For further information contact the Rose of Tralee International Festival Office on +353-66-7121322, info@roseoftralee.ie or www.roseoftralee.ie