A qualified aircraft maintenance technician who works as an electrician/linesman is the 2014 Newbridge Silverware Escort of the Year at the Rose of Tralee International Festival.
Top gun Conor Walsh, a farmer’s son from Cappamore, Limerick and Escort to the North Carolina Rose, Nancy Boyce, was the main man according to a vote taken by this year’s Roses and Escorts.
Dáithí Ó Sé announced the result live on RTÉ One television tonight, while Conor Doyle from Newbridge Silverware presented him with a wonderful prize consisting of a 44-piece silver-plated canteen engraved with his family crest, a stylish Gents collection of Newbridge Jewellery including Rose of Tralee Cufflinks, bracelet, watch, leather belt and wallet and a cheque for €1000.
Giving his reaction to the result Conor said: “I was lucky enough to escort Nancy, the North Carolina Rose who is an absolutely brilliant girl. It’s been a wonderful experience from the beginning. You just meet a great bunch of lads and the Roses are unbelievable and I’d encourage any lad to put his name forward to become an Escort at the Rose of Tralee.”
Conor works for ESB Networks and he’s actively involved in sport playing rugby, soccer, tag rugby, American football and skiing.
Not straying far from his farming roots, Conor is a safety officer in his local agricultural show and he gives of his time for charities around Limerick. He’s so dedicated to the extent that he even once did a walk across red hot coals as part of a fundraising campaign!
Two of his fellow Escorts, John McLoughlin (Toronto Rose) and David Crean (Dubai Rose) were shortlisted in the top three following the vote.
Nearly 200 men aged between 21 and 30 applied to become Escorts at this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival and following a detailed interview process, the final 32 were selected to take part in a Boot Camp weekend in west Kerry to help them prepare for a busy week in Tralee.
Applications are now being accepted to become Rose Escorts in 2015 and full details are available from www.roseoftralee.ie.
