Many a little girl has dreamed of taking to the stage in the Festival Dome to be crowned Rose of Tralee. If you were one of those little girls, or if you would just like a flavour of one of the best family-friendly festivals in the country, book a holiday home at Killarney’s Holiday Village and you’re just a half-hour’s drive from Tralee, where the Rose of Tralee International Festival 2017 takes place from August 16th to 22nd.
What to Expect
First celebrated in 1959, the Rose of Tralee International Festival centres on the selection of the Rose, but there’s a lot more to it than that. The theme of Irish culture runs through the festival, resulting in a display of some of the best music and entertainment you will come across this year. The central element remains the Rose selection, however. Celebrate the Roses in the Festival Dome on August 17th and party to the 16-piece band Route 66. Then there’s the black-tie Rose Ball on August 18th, followed by the televised Rose selection, which takes place on the 21st and the 22nd of August. The festival culminates with a joyous parade through the streets of Tralee in which the winning Rose is presented to the world.
Highlights
If you’re not into the competition element of the festival, there is still plenty to entertain you. Bring the family to Tralee for the best of street theatre and music. Drama and spectacle are everywhere, with the carnival, fireworks, and circus entertainment. The Town Park is turned into Family Town for the week, with workshops and performances for even the tiniest attendants, while older fun-seekers will enjoy Disco in the Dome, You Jive Me Crazy, or Nathan Carter. There is even a Rose and pub twinning. Each of the 64 Roses and their friends and family will be hosted by a pub in Tralee, where the individual Rose will be available to meet and greet from 1.30pm on Saturday August 19th.
What’s your favourite part of the Rose of Tralee?
We’d love to hear from you!
