Festive cheer begins in earnest at Castle
The spirit of Christmas made its first appearance in Enniscorthy on Friday evening last as the very beautiful and very lovely 2014 Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh arrived in town to launch Santa’s Enchanted Castle and the Christmas lights at Templeshannon.
The charming 55th Rose of Tralee added glamour, energy and style to the festive occasion, and was the perfect choice for the festive photoshoot, looking stunning in seasonal red and wearing a warm, wide smile quickly winning the hearts of all present from the tiny Elf Jessica to chairman of Enniscorthy Municipal & District Council Oliver Walsh – no relation by the way!
Following proceedings at the castle it was over to Treacy’s Hotel for some hot cinnamon coffee and delicious gingerbread men where curator of Enniscorthy Castle Moira O’Gorman said that there were already 500 bookings taken for the Enchanted Castle, creating the expectation that 2016 would far surpass last year’s total attendance of 2,000. Good news for the castle and Enniscorthy and well done to Moira and the castle staff.
The Philadelphia Rose seemed in no hurry to leave Enniscorthy, chatting happily and animatedly to all about the wonderful Rose of Tralee festival, the humorous and entertaining Daithi O Se and the marvellous life she has been leading since winning. The festival has a way of opening doors, Maria said, and she has been kept busy working with media events and TV projects and has made appearances on Nationwide, the 7 o’clock Show and more.
With her warm personality, twinkling eyes and easy manner it is not difficult to understand why this Fair Lady is in such demand.
Lovely to have you in Enniscorthy Maria on your first visit which we hope will not be your last and well done to Jean O’Connell of O’Connell Marketing for organising the happy event putting us all in an early mood for merriment and magic!