Roses enjoy visit to Center Parcs
The 2023 Rose Tour arrived in Center Parcs near Ballymahon today (Monday).
The 32 contestants also visited St Mel's Cathedral, Knights and Conquests Heritage Centre in Granard before a gala dinner at Barberstown Castle, a four star country house & historic 13th century castle in Co Kildare later this evening.
Next stop for the Roses is county Offaly on Tuesday, where they are expected in Tullamore around lunchtime on Tuesday, August 15 for a reception at O'Connor Square.
They will then visit two local businesses, Linda O'Brien jewellery, which sells handcrafted jewellery and watches in Ballykilmurray, and the Tullamore DEW Distillery Visitor Experience.
The first day of the Offaly tour will finish with the Mid-Summer Rose Ball in the County Arms Hotel in Birr at which the Roses will enjoy a cocktail reception at 7pm, a four-course dinner at 8pm, and dance the night away with music by The Buckleys.
On Wednesday, August 16, the Roses will visit Birr Castle, take a boat trip on the River Shannon and tour the monastic site of Clonmacnoise before having lunch at the Old Fort in Shannonbridge.
The 2023 Rose Tour is sponsored by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and will conclude on arrival to Tralee this Friday, August 18 for the 2023 Rose of Tralee International Festival.
Earlier this month, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick predicted that it's going to be a great occasion for Tullamore and Offaly to have all the Roses in the county.