There were flips, flops, and plenty of laughs as 32 of Ireland’s top gents arrived in Kerry for the legendary Rose Escort Bootcamp—an action-packed weekend of endurance, charm, and unexpected surprises.
Once welcomed at the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee, the hopeful Escorts kicked off their whirlwind journey with photos and intros—before the real adventure began. Over 48 adrenaline-fuelled hours, the group journeyed across Kerry, testing their stamina and their teamwork.
Highlights included scaling Mount Brandon with Irish Adventures Dingle, a visit to Paudie O’Sé’s pub, and “educational” tastings at Dingle Distillery. Their sea legs were then tested on a dolphin tour around Dingle Bay, followed by a BBQ and singalong at Paul Geaney’s—where impromptu boyband auditions were rumoured to break out.
Sunday morning brought a traditional Kerry wake-up: a jog and dip at Banna Strand led by Seán O’Connor of Beachfit. From there, the group headed to Tralee Fire Station for training with Kerry Fire & Rescue—proving Rose Escorts need more than a nice suit!
Professions ranged from teachers to farmers, radiographers, and even a Forbes 30-Under-30 entrepreneur. Cork and Dublin lead the count with four Escorts each, with Kerry and Meath close behind. One Escort even flew in from California!
The bootcamp wrapped with brunch and phone reunions, just in time to prepare for August’s big event. Escort of the Year Barry Lysaght reminded them: “This is where friendships start and nerves fade. Tralee in August is unforgettable.”
The 2025 Rose of Tralee Festival runs August 15–19. Live show tickets at www.roseoftralee.ie. photos by Domnick Walsh
