Tralee (Trá Lí meaning Strand Of The (River) Lee), is the county town of Kerry and the home of the famous Rose Of Tralee International Festival. As the gateway to the stunning Dingle Peninsula, Tralee welcomes visitors all year round, but the town is at it's most bustling at the end of August when the festival takes place. At the centre of the festival is a contest in which Lovely Girls from all over the world compete to be crowned Rose Of Tralee. The competition celebrates the "aspirations, ambitions, intellect, social responsibility and Irish heritage" of modern young women and the winner is selected on the strength of her personality and for her potential as ambassador for The Rose Of Tralee International Festival. The festival is televised and broadcast on RTE across Ireland, but to experience the five days of live music, street theatre, fashion shows, fireworks, workshops, circus, markets, funfair, fireworks and the colourful Rose Parades, you'll need to be right here in The Kingdom.
Here's the song that started it all off!
The Rose Of Tralee
The pale moon was rising above the green mountains,
The sun was declining beneath the blue sea;
When I strayed with my love to 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.
The cool shades of evening their mantle were spreading,
And Mary all smiling was listening to me;
The moon through the valley her pale rays was shedding,
When I won the heart of the Rose of Tralee.
Though 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.
In the far fields of India, 'mid wars dreadful thunders,
Her voice was a solace and comfort to me,
But the chill hand of death has now rent us asunder,
I'm lonely tonight for the Rose 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.
Tralee is home to other famous roses too, here in the Town Park! As well as a Rose Garden, there is an award-winning Garden Of The Senses, Community Garden, tranquility fountain, Rose Of Tralee memorial (natch!), a Childrens Playground and wonderful open spaces fringed by mature trees. The famous Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre of Ireland is also in the park, and just beyond the park's main entrance are Kerry County Museum and historic Denny Street with it's stately Grand Hotel and the vintage heaven that is Mary Annes Tearooms.
The cache is a Nano, so you will need to bring your own pen. The park is busy with walkers, children and joggers so please use discretion. You will need to leave the footpath and walk onto the grass to find it. This is our favourite part of Tralee, we hope you enjoy geocaching here!