TRALEE architect Shane Kenny (23) is the 2015 Newbridge Silverware Rose of Tralee Escort of the Year.
Shane’s fellow Rose Escorts and this year’s 32 International Roses voted for the winner and Dáithí Ó Sé announced the result in the Festival Dome in front of live on RTÉ One.
In a year when the Rose Escorts had the pleasure of chaperoning three Roses instead of being paired with one Rose, Shane was the Rose Escort to the Galway, Louth and Meath Roses.
A native of The Spa, Tralee, Shane plays football for his local club Churchill GAA, and writes for popular sports website Pundit Arena occasionally. He is a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, and has performed at Siamsa Tíre Theatre in a number of different pantomime roles and sketches recently.
The General Manager of Newbridge Silverware, Martin Kilduff, presented Shane 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.
Shane Kenny, the only Kerryman among this year’s group of 32 Rose Escorts, said: “I was delighted to represent Tralee and Kerry in what has been another fantastic Festival.”
Shane has completed the Ring of Kerry Cycle and two Toughathlons, raising funds for the Irish Cancer Society in the process.
A quiz buff, Shane has competed at All-Ireland level with his parish team. He aspires to undertake his Masters in Architecture in the coming year.
Two of his fellow Rose Escorts, Darren Hughes (29) and Ross McAuley (26), both from Dublin, 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 Kenmare to help them prepare for a busy week in Tralee.
Applications are now being accepted to become Rose Escorts in 2016 and full details are available from www.roseoftralee.ie.
