Watch out! All 65 ladies participating in the Rose of Tralee will be touring around Kildare next week

THE 65 Roses taking part in this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival will enjoy a full day in County Kildare – the home to the Sport of Kings – where they will experience an authentic Tourism Showcase of the County.

On Saturday August 13, Kildare Fáilte and Kildare County Council will facilitate a "behind the scenes" tour of key Kildare flagship locations such as The K Club, Kildare Village and the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens.

Mr. Peter Carey, CEO, Kildare County Council stated "Kildare County Council, in partnership with Kildare Fáilte, will welcome all the 2016 Roses, that will compete for the title of Rose of Tralee later in the month, to experience a day in Kildare. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote Kildare as a county to visit and spend some time exploring and enjoying wealth of experiences. We wish the Rose contestants from near and far, as well as their families, a great day out in Kildare, and we hope that they will gather wonderful memories to share with friends and relations"

The Rose of Tralee International Festival Commercial Manager, Steve Cronly, said: “The Rose Tour of Ireland offers the perfect opportunity to showcase the Rose of Tralee as more than a seven-day Festival. It’s also is a very important event on the Irish tourism calendar as the media coverage that the Rose Tour commands is the perfect picture postcard to send to the world. There is no other Festival in Ireland that offers such an insight to so many parts of Ireland en route to the main hub of the entertainment in Tralee.”

The Kildare Tourism Rose of Tralee Showcase will commence with a Civic Reception at the headquarters of Kildare County Council, Naas. Hosted by the Mr. Peter Carey, Chief Executive - Kildare County Council, Councillor Ivan Keatley, Mayor of Kildare and Mr. Peter Minnock, Director of Services - Kildare County Council - the Roses and entourage will be treated to a real "taste of Kildare" experience. Budding roses from clubs such as Sarsfield GAA, Naas GAA, Raheen GAA, Eire OG Camoige and Nurney Camoige will welcome each Rose upon arrival. To add to the occasion,  the Army Band led by Captain Thomas Kelly will perform a musical extravaganza. Refreshments will be provided by a host of local restauranteurs and producers, showcasing Kildare's local food heroes.

Next stop on the Kildare Tourism Showcase is the world renowned 5 star luxury K Club. Home to two Championship golf courses and the 2016 Irish Open, the K Club is Ireland's first AA Red Star property.

The Roses are looking forward to being introduced to the County's living Equine legacy at the Irish National Stud & Gardens. Home to equine royalty and the world famous Japanese Gardens, the Roses will be immersed in the very essence of Ireland's thoroughbred industry.

Completing the Kildare Experience, the Roses will enjoy a VIP shopping experience at the Kildare Village.  Nestled within landscaped grounds and presented in an authentic village environment, a world of luxury awaits visitors at Kildare Village with over 80 fashion and lifestyle boutiques to choose from. The day in Kildare will end with a Rose Garden Party Reception at the Osprey Complex Naas, home to the four-star Osprey Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre.

The Rose Tour will get underway on Friday August 12 and prior to their arrival in Tralee they will visit some of Ireland’s most famous and symbolic historic, sporting and tourism landmarks in Dublin, Kildare and Laois.

Rose of Tralee TV Host, Dáithí Ó Sé and the 65 Roses will be introduced to the country’s media at the press photo-call in RTÉ on Tuesday August 16 prior to the Roses departure to Tralee, via a lunchtime stop in Portlaoise.

When the Roses arrive in the Kingdom of Kerry, they will sample some of the most famous scenery and tourist attractions in the world.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival will commence on Wednesday 17 and will end on Tuesday 23 August when the 2016 Rose of Tralee is crowned in the Festival Dome live on RTÉ One.