Kilkerrin boy paired with Yorkshire Rose

Keelan Clifford will be part of Rose of Tralee festival

A YOUNG boy from Kilkerrin has been selected as one of the Rose Buddies for the 2026 Rose of Tralee International Festival.

Eight-year-old Keelan Clifford is among the 32 boys who will be paired with a Rose during the annual festival in County Kerry, which runs across four days this month from August 14 to 18.

Keelan has been paired with the 2026 Yorkshire Rose, Kerry Manze, and is now looking forward to his trip to Tralee on Friday, August 14 alongside his parents Elaine and Perry Clifford, and two older brothers Rory (16) and Dylan (12).

Keelan’s mother completed the application on his behalf and is excited to see her son getting a chance to be a part of the Rose of Tralee festival.

“I knew someone who had done this last year, and they told me about the application process," said Elaine.

“I grew up watching the competition on TV every year and I think it’s a great opportunity for him meet the roses, the escorts and other children selected for the role."

Keelan will have a full schedule over the four days. He will be participate in parades, meet the Roses, attend a little party organised for the Rose Buds (girls) and Rose Buddies, and appear on TV as the Roses are presented on stage.

The Rose Buddies programme is for boys aged six to ten and is in its second year. The Rose Buds programme also pairs girls aged six to ten with Roses. Selection for the programmes is done through an open application process for children aged six to ten years of age from across Ireland.