Travelling Rose draws Travellers’ concern

THOUSANDS EXPECTED FOR NOVELTY EVENT IN LISTOWEL IN COMING WEEK

SOME members of the Traveller community of Listowel are concerned over the potential impact of the looming Travelling Rose on their relationship with the settled community in the town, The Kerryman has learned.

Thousands are expected to hit Listowel for the Irish finals of the Travelling Rose competition, due to take place in The Risin’ Sun bar on Market Street over August 5,6 and 7 next.

The Kerryman has learned that the venue is also working to address minor fire regulatory issues before it hosts next week’s massive Travelling Rose event – billed as The Rose of Tralee of the Traveller community.

The Risin’ Sun on Market Street is the focal point for an event that is set to bring hundreds, if not thousands, of Travellers from across Ireland and the UK to North Kerry.

Hotels and other accommodation providers in the area are being inundated with calls ahead of the selection - which is being held to choose the Irish Travelling Rose to contest the international final later in the year.

Some of the biggest names in Traveller circles in these islands are on their way to judge the competition, including Thelma Madine and Paddy Doherty of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding fame.

However, a minor question mark hangs over the event based on fire regulation grounds at the venue. Kerry County Fire Officers inspected the premises with gardaí recently, highlighting a number of ‘relatively minor’ concerns.

“It’s not an issue of obtaining fire safety certification, but merely of addressing a number of relatively minor issues from a fire regulations point of view and we understand these issues are now being addressed,” a spokesperson for Kerry County Council told The Kerryman.

There is no suggestion the venue is not safe, the concerns have only come to light in the context of such large crowds attending the bar over the three nights of the event - in what is a big occasion for the scores of young women contesting it.