Escort Daniel looking forward to flying the flag for Westmeath in Tralee

Photo shows, Mullingar's Daniel Byrne (back, far right) with some of his fellow escorts at the Killarney Races.

We may not have a Rose there, but Daniel Byrne says that he's looking forward to flying the flag for Westmeath at this year's Rose of Tralee Festival, which officially gets underway this Friday, August 23.

Mullingar native Daniel was one of 32 escorts selected for the 60th instalment of the world famous festival. Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner on yesterday afternoon, Daniel said that he was thrilled to have made the grade after a quite rigorous selection process.

“Watching the Rose of Tralee is a family tradition and I always wanted to be an escort,” he said.

A music teacher in Ardscoil Phadraig in Granard – Daniel is one of seven teachers selected as escorts this year. Much of his summer holidays have been taken up preparing for what he hopes will be one of the most memorable weeks of his life.

“We had a fantastic time at the escorts bootcamp in June, it's become an integral part of the festival. We camped out for two nights at the base of Carrauntoohil and we developed skills that help us work as a team in preparation for supporting the Roses and their families.

“I was also one of the eight escorts picked to accompany some of the Roses to the Killarney Races earlier this month and have formed a band with some of the escorts. We've been having a few rehearsals, so it's been very busy.”

Daniel, like all of the other escorts, had to raise €1,500 in sponsorship. His main sponsors are Mullingar businesses Tom Bermingham Menswear and Con's Bar, as well as the Clara based food producer, Clara Fields. He also held a summer barbecue fundraiser in Con's earlier this month, which was attended by a number of his fellow escorts.

“I've had incredible support from the community in Mullingar and from my local sponsors Con's and Tom Bermingham. I also had my fundraiser over the August bank weekend and I'd like to say thanks to everyone who came out to support it.”

Daniel and his fellow escorts will be allocated two Roses to take care off over the festival. Describing him self as a gentleman, he says that he is looking forward to meeting his Roses and helping make their lives easier over the next week.

“I am the type of person who enjoys new challenges and it's an incredible way to meet new people,” he said.