Rose Of Tralee 2013

In August with the use of a press pass sanctioned by “Hi” magazine   I worked as an event photographer on many of the festival events organised by the committee this year for the world famous and very popular International Rose of Tralee Festival. Festival photography is great fun – you never know what you’re going to come across. I wanted to concentrate on the girls and the fashion. My photos would be used for the September edition of Hi Magazine covering the various glamour events and social side of the Rose Of Tralee festival.

Rose Of Tralee Fashion Show

The glamour was out all right! I was very impressed with the huge turnout for the highly sought after  Kerryman/Irish Independent Fashion Show in the Dome on the Sunday night. Guest judge and designer to the stars and creative director of THEIA  Don O’Neill from the beautiful seaside village of Ballyheigue was the main draw.

Don whose hugely successful label Theia, is brewing up a storm stateside was more than happy to attend all Rose Of Tralee events all week. What a gracious man, and not afraid to get on with some hard graft.Steaming garments backstage on Fashion show night as well as absorbing the glamour and attention front of house!

There was huge excitement over his visit and he was not only judging the new Kerry Designers section on Fashion show night. He was featuring in the festival parade that night. He was like a Hollywood star on his float wearing a fantastic colorful jacket of his own design. I was told it is the fashion event of the year .Tickets were sold out well in advance .I made sure not to miss that! I had no idea there were nearly 2,000 women so keen on fashion in this small corner of this Island! The producer of the show was Celia Holman Lee and the awards were presented by Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Jill Hannon from Hannons Fashion Shop in Castleisland.

Check out the youtube clip below for photos.

The main event sponsered by Newbridge Silverware held over 2 nights at the Dome was once again presented with great flair and ease by Daithi O Se.A great performance by Shane Filan on his first solo television stage appearance had the crowd rocking.  Our own Kerry rose was our hope for the crown but alas although favoured by Irish bookies was not to win this year.

Texas Rose Of Tralee

Texas Rose Hayley O’Sullivan took the title of Rose Of Tralee and showed great humility at the final announcement. What a party her Texan supporters threw her later that night.

There was great fun on the street later as “midnight madness” took hold of Tralee, and all Rose contingents partied the night away after a memorable week for organisers and locals alike. As a volunteer I for one had a great week for my first hand’s-on experience of The International Rose of Tralee Festival.

Well done to all the committee at the head office in Ashe Hall and all the volunteers.Heres looking forward to next years event in the Kerry capital of Tralee.Come and join us in Tralee next year for one of Irelands greatest festivals and soak up the atmosphere no matter where you are in the world. Tralee and the surrounding area have lots to offer so put next August in your diary for a trip to the roses.

Rose Of Tralee Photographs

Have a look at my youtube video at top of page for photos from the hugely successful International Rose Of Tralee 2013. Feel free to share it out on Facebook or Twitterland. Contact me for any copies through my website About Ciara O’Donnell the photographer