Donegal man ‘absolutely delighted’ to be selected as Rose of Tralee escort

An Inishowen man who has been selected as an escort for the 2025 Rose of Tralee says he’s looking forward to putting himself outside his comfort zone.

Bernard McConway, from Quigley’s Point, is one of 32 escorts to have successfully made it through to this year’s Rose of Tralee festival, which takes place from August 15-19.

The 29-year-old, who recently completed a boot camp in Kerry, can’t wait for the challenge, which is something entirely new to him.

“It's an opportunity that not many people get, so I was absolutely delighted and honoured when I found out I had been selected.”

“Being a Rose escort isn't something that had crossed my mind before, but I saw an advertisement that it was open for applications. I like to challenge myself, to put myself a little out of my comfort zone and try new things.”

“This to me seemed like a great opportunity to do this. It should be great fun, a brilliant experience, and I think it will help me grow as a person,” Bernard says.

After the applications were shortlisted, Bernard (pictured above) was called to interview in Tullamore at the end of May, and a few days later, he got the call to say he had been successful.

Bernard has watched the Rose of Tralee on television many times when he was growing up, but never did he think he’d be a part of it himself.

As to the all-important question of which Rose he will be accompanying in August?
“That won't be decided until the week of the festival. I'm just looking forward to the experience and fulfilling my role as an escort with whoever I’m paired with,” he said.

All 32 successful Rose escorts attended a three-day boot camp in Kerry at the beginning of June.

Bernard reveals how they all had their phones confiscated for the duration, and how that turned out to be “a great experience”, helping the group get to know each other without distractions.

“That made us talk to one another and have the craic amongst ourselves. We bonded very well as a group,” says Bernard.

The boot camp involved an opening night quiz, followed by a trip the following morning on an open-topped bus and a hike to the top of Mount Brandon, one of Ireland’s highest peaks.

“That suited me very well; I was glad it was a hike that we did as the main physical challenge,” said Bernard, whose experience of hiking up 100 hills in Inishowen for charity certainly stood him in good stead.

“When we finished the hike, we were back on the open-topped bus out to Páidí Ó Sé’s pub, where we got lunch and of course a drink. Then we went for a coastal drive around the Dingle peninsula. We stopped at Dingle Whiskey Distillery for a tour of the distillery.”

“We also got on a boat and went out to see some dolphins and even a couple of minke whales.”

The action-packed and memorable trip continued with a visit to Kerry footballing star Paul Geaney's bar in Dingle, followed by a late-night music session.

Then it was back to the grindstone again, as Bernard further explains.

“The next morning we were back out at 8am, on a bus out to Banna beach, where we did a range of exercises, including press-ups, burpees, running, wheelbarrow races, piggyback races and more.”

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This was followed by a visit to Tralee Fire Station, where the escorts were further put through their paces.

“They had an assault course set up for us there. We were put into teams and we had to race through cones carrying a tyre, all whilst the firemen were having the time of their lives soaking us with the hoses!” laughs Bernard.

“After that we had a short briefing and we were reunited with our phones. Then we hit the road home, after what was a very eventful and enjoyable weekend.”

Finally, Bernard has thanked everyone who has helped him during the course of the application process.

“I would like to thank my sponsor RTM Services for this opportunity. Many people have supported me on my journey, and I want to thank each and every one of them.”

Meanwhile, fellow Donegal man Aaron Tourish, from Cloghan near Ballybofey, has also been selected as an escort for this year's Rose of Tralee.