Castlecomer’s Roses in full bloom

CASTLECOMER’S roses were in full bloom last night as the town hosted its very first Rose of Tralee event.

Breda Heary of the Castlecomer Rose Committee said they were “delighted” with the turnout for the launch night at Shortall’s Bar & Lounge in The Square.

Breda told KilkennyNow.ie: “All the girls are really excited to be taking part in this first ever Castlecomer Rose event – now the ultimate goal is to be crowned Kilkenny Rose and getting to Tralee for the main event in August.

“We would like to thank the representatives from Bank of Ireland Castlecomer, our main sponsor, Fordes Eurospar Castlecomer and David Buggy Motors who came to the event.”

Lots of local businesses turned out to lend their support to the event, and all proceeds raised locally will be donated to the local boy’s national school.

Castlecomer Discovery Park have also agreed to sponsor a ‘spin on the zip-line’ for the girls taking part.

The Castlecomer Rose will be crowed at the main event, which will take part in Shortall’s on March 9.

They will go on to represent Castlecomer at the Kilkenny Rose of Tralee Selection 2019 in the Ormonde Hotel in April.

Lyn Moloney from the Kilkenny Rose Centre said: “Becoming involved in the Rose of Tralee can really benefit local businesses, and of course it can also have a real life changing impact on the lives of the girls who go on to represent their counties in the final in Tralee.”

PICTURE: Anna Lalor of organisers Paula Heeney and Breda Heary with some of the ladies who have signed up for the Castlecomer Rose of Tralee event