Mullingar man to escort Roses again!

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for three Westmeath men last August, when they joined a host of other guys from around the country to escort the beautiful Roses in the Rose of Tralee International Festival.However, for Mullingar man and former escort, Enda Carey, once just wasn?t enough, and he?s back this year with thirty other escorts to take part in this year?s festivities which run from August 17 to 21!The only Westmeath man on the ?panel? this year, twenty-six year old Enda works as a farmer in Mullingar and also plays football with Shandonagh.And, while the Rose of Tralee festival ensures that the spotlight is only on the beautiful ladies, Enda involuntarily gained some of the limelight when he celebrated his birthday during the event!Last year, John Gordon from Mullingar and Kevin Giles from Kinnegad were also escorts at the festival.Not that being an escort to a beautiful Rose comes cheap, but thankfully generous sponsors Danny Byrne?s came on board for Enda.This is the second year that Westmeath has had a Rose in the Festival. Twenty-five year old Marisa Murray from Athlone will be doing the county proud during the five-day event.Meanwhile, anyone with Ballivor links should keep an eye on the Boston and New England Rose, Nora Rafferty, whose boyfriend hails from Ballivor.This year`s 48th Rose of Tralee International Festival welcomes more Roses than ever before to Tralee in August with the addition of some New International Centres, making one of Ireland`s biggest and longest running festivals an increasingly international experience. Roses will travel from the UK, America, Australia, Canada, Luxembourg, Dubai and France to compete for the coveted title of Rose of Tralee.They will be joined by current Rose of Tralee, Kathryn Feeney who has taken a break from her native Queensland to spend time in Ireland.