THE 2014 Rose of Tralee International Festival is only five weeks away and Tralee’s hotels, self-catering and camping accommodation are already nearly booked-out.
The Kerry Rose, Mary Hickey, has visited the volunteers at the Tourist Kiosk in Tralee Town Centre there has been an increase in the number of enquiries relating to the Festival which will take place from Friday 15 to Tuesday 19 August.
Tralee Chamber Alliance recently conducted a survey of some of the town’s largest accommodation providers and, as of the end of June, there were just over 300 hotel and apartment beds available in Tralee for the Festival.
The CEO of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kieran Ruttledge, said: “The legacy of the Rose Gathering looks set to produce another bumper week for Tralee’s accommodation providers. Last year’s Festival was such a draw, many of visitors needed to book their accommodation in Killorglin, Killarney and Ballybunnion. Anyone thinking of travelling to Tralee for the Rose of Tralee International Festival should take every step to avoid disappointment and book their stay in Tralee as soon as possible. We are encouraging the people of Tralee to extend a warm welcome to everyone who visits Tralee during this year’s Festival.”
The weekend dates of the Festival, when Union J and Walking on Cars perform live on Denny Street, the Rose Ball and Fashion Show take place in the Dome, and the parades will bring colour and pageantry to the town centre, are the most heavily booked.
The decision by so many Irish people to take “staycations” towards the end of the summer will be complimented by a large travelling contingent from the USA, Canada, Middle East, UK, New Zealand and Australia.
Many supporters of the Roses taking part in the televised selection nights in the Dome on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th August are also expected to travel en masse to Tralee.
Full details of a range of B&Bs, hotel, self-catering, camping and caravan accommodation can be found at www.tralee.ie while information on how to contribute to the Festival of Kerry Support Group is available from www.roseoftralee.ie.
The 2014 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from Friday 15 to Tuesday 19 August.
