Rose Buds and Buddies enjoying the 2025 Rose of Tralee Festival.
Festival Director Suzan O’Gara has defended the application fees for children joining the Rose ‘Buds and Buddies’ competition, following criticism from a Kerry mother who called it ‘too steep’.
The competition sees 64 children selected every year – 32 boys and 32 girls – who are twinned with the 32 Rose of Tralee contestants.