Rose of Tralee Festival, Ireland

Russell Shortt

The Rose of Tralee is an international festival which is celebrated in Irish communities all over the world. It provenance begins with a love song written in the nineteenth century by William Mulchinock. William was a wealthy merchant who fell in love with a maid, Mary O'Connor, who worked for his family. William fell in lve with Mary at first sight but their difference in social classes discouraged the love affair. However, William followed his heart and decided to propose but before he had the chance, he had to flee the country having been accused wrongfully of murder. He promised Mary that he would return for her and she swore that she would wait for him. William made his way to India where he worked as a war correspondent, while there he made some influential contacts who helped him clear his name. After six years William returned to Tralee, he stopped at the Kings Rock Tavern for a drink before going to find Mary. The landlord began drawing the curtains to mark the passing of a funeral, on asking who was being buried, William told that it was the beautiful Mary O'Connor of Brogue Lane, Tralee. The Rose of Tralee festival is now held every year at the end of August to choose a young woman who will be crowned the Rose. The winning Rose is the lady most deemed to suit the attributes laid out in the song : -

The pale moon was rising above the green mountains,
The sun was declining beneath the blue sea,
When I strayed with my love by the pure crystal fountain,
That stands in the beautiful Vale of Tralee.

She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source: http://www.exploringireland.net

Article submitted Friday, October 10, 2008
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