Coolderry’s Joe is set to be a Rose escort
Joe Standish, a HR and training administrator from Coolderry, will represent the Faithful County at this year's Rose of Tralee International Festival’s 60th Year Celebrations from August 23 to 27.
Now living in Kildare, Joe recently completed a degree in Business and Management in Maynooth University and during his time there, he had the privilege of being involved in the Maynooth University Business Society where he was president for two years raising money for charity.
"I’ve just began my new job as a HR Administrator for one of Ireland’s leading hotels where I’ve been lucky enough to welcome guests from all over the world to our shores. In my spare time there is nothing I love more than socialising with friends after a busy week," Joe said.
Joe endured the Rose of Tralee Boot Camp last weekend along the Wild Atlantic Way in Kerry last weekend, after which the final 32 men were shortlisted to accompany the Roses in Tralee at this year’s festival.
The lads, who already came through an interview process in April, had to pass several endurance tests and team-building exercises before they could graduate as fully-fledged Rose Escorts.
The lads, all aged 21 to 30, had to carry out a range of activities including a hike over Carrauntoohil - Ireland’s highest mountain - cliff diving, abseiling, cookery, swimming, kayaking, surfing, ironing and sewing in order to prove they will have the stamina to be a Rose Escort.
Over the course of the weekend, the Rose Escorts experienced the visitor facilities in Killarney, Killorglin, Cappanalea, Rossbeigh Beach and Tralee. The entire Rose Escort Team thanked everyone who contributed to the programme of events from Friday June 14 to Sunday June 16.
Looking ahead to the year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival, one of the 32 men will be selected as the Rose Escort of the Year live on RTÉ One on Monday August 26.
The Festival Dome will play host to the Rose Ball, 80s Night with Abbaesque, Autumn Winter Fashion Show and of course, the TV Rose Selections on RTÉ presented by Dáithí Ó Sé.
“The Rose Escorts spent three days in Kerry where they undertook a number of gruelling, yet fun, tasks to prepare them for the festival in August. The Boot Camp weekend in the Kingdom is a team-building exercise that is also designed to help them cope with the demands of a busy week in Tralee. We are particularly grateful to our friends in Kerry County Council for putting together such a packed programme of activities throughout the magnificent Kingdom of Kerry,” Rose of Tralee International Festival’s communications manager, John Drummey, said.