The 2015 Rose of Tralee contestants will visit Boyle’s Lough Key Forest Park on Wednesday 12th August.
They will arrive at 3.20pm approx. and depart at 5.45pm
During their time in Lough Key Forest Park they will take a guided tour of the Lough Key Experience.
They will then split into groups to try the other attractions, Boda Borg, a Rowing Boat, Electric Bikes and a Segway Glide.
They will arrive in the North West on Tuesday and are scheduled to herd sheep through the streets of Mohill that evening before being awarded the freedom of the village.
Lough Rynn Castle Estate and Gardens will be the Roses’ base for two nights, on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th August during their visit to Counties Leitrim and Roscommon.
The Roses will be treated to a packed progamme of activities including visits to Acres Lake, Drumshanbo, Waterways Ireland – Shannon Blueway and the newly opened Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre, Leitrim’s Home Brew Brewery, Carrig Brewing and thrills and spills at Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle, Co. Roscommon.
The Sydney Rose, Ciara Rafferty (pictured) has Boyle connections.
Her mother Joan (nee Flanagan) is originally from Rockingham.
In her profile for the Rose of Tralee festival, Ciara describes herself as follows:
My name is Ciara and I am 26 years old. I was born in a small Australian beach town called Port Macquarie and moved to the western suburbs of Sydney when I was five. My mother is from Boyle, Co. Roscommon and my father is from Greenore, Co. Louth. I have returned to Ireland many times over the years to visit the family, especially my granny and granddad. To me, Carlingford and Lough Key Forest Park (Boyle) are the two most beautiful places in the world!
I completed my education and achieved Bachelor degrees in both Arts (majoring in History and Film) and Nursing. I am a registered nurse and research team member at Saint Vincent’s Private Hospital Sydney (SVPHS). This year I received a scholarship to complete my Honours, and plan to complete a PhD in the future.
When I am not at the hospital, I am more than likely making films! I have made two award winning short films and it is my dream to establish a not-for-profit production company that makes films about people and public health issues. I am incredibly proud to be Irish-Australian. Being of Irish descent has taught me to be fierce and being Australian has taught me to ALWAYS wear sunscreen.
(pic courtesy of independent.ie)
