AN AIRCRAFT maintenance technician from Cappamore was this week named the Newbridge Silverware Escort of the Year at the Rose of Tralee International Festival.
Conor Walsh, who works as an electrician with ESB, was escort to the North Carolina Rose Nancy Boyce.
“I was lucky enough to escort Nancy, the North Carolina Rose who is an absolutely brilliant girl. It’s been a wonderful experience from the beginning. You just meet a great bunch of lads and the Roses are unbelievable and I’d encourage any lad to put his name forward to become an escort at the Rose of Tralee,” explained Conor.
Being the perfect escort requires “a combination of things”, according to Conor.
“It goes back to some of the clichés, but you have to be a good listener, you have to be able to carry the handbags, look after the girls, put them at ease. Sometimes girls get nervous going up, some girls miss their family, you need to be able to relax them and just be a good friend. Try and treat your Rose like you would like someone to treat your sister, that was always a good line we heard,” he revealed.
Conor’s prize included a stylish gents collection of Newbridge Jewellery and a cheque for €1000.
Nearly 200 men aged between 21 and 30 applied to become escorts at this year’s Rose of Tralee.
Applications are now being accepted for 2015 Rose Escorts; further information is available at www.roseoftralee.ie.
