The pale moon was rising …Excitement grows for local Rose of Tralee escorts

This year's Rose of Tralee International Festival will feature a touch of Carrigdhoun class, as two local men, James (Griff) Kelleher and Sam Donworth, have both been selected as escorts for the highly anticipated event.

James (Griff) Kelleher, a 21-year-old volunteer crewman with Crosshaven RNLI, is eagerly anticipating his role as an escort. Griff, who joined the RNLI over a year ago, recently achieved his Tier 1 competent crew assessment, qualifying him to operate the lifeboat during service calls. Beyond his RNLI duties, Kelleher is a manufacturing engineering apprentice at JNJMEDTECH in Ringaskiddy, specializing in titanium medical implants. In his leisure time, he is a competitive racing sailor, participating in major sailing events across Ireland.

Griff Kelleher with fellow Crosshaven RNLI crewmates, Caoimhe Foster, Holly Fegan and Susanne Deane

Philomena Maguire, Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, expressed her pride and confidence in Griff, stating, "This is a major event for Griff, and I am sure he will represent the Rose of Tralee festival and the RNLI well. We wish him all the best for his week of fun in Tralee. The Rose, whoever she is, will love him to bits, and we hope she will visit the lifeboat station with Griff after the festival."

Joining Kelleher as an escort is Carrigaline entrepreneur Sam Donworth. Mr. Donworth, who is also in his twenties works as an Analyst at Longview Estates, contributing to the delivery of homes. He recently established his own artificial intelligence company, EvolvAI, which assists companies in integrating AI into practical, real-world applications. He is described as someone who is “driven and ambitious”. In his leisure time, Mr. Donworth enjoys rugby and fitness activities.

Sam Donworth

Both Kelleher and Donworth are set to represent their communities and the wider Cork region with pride at the upcoming festival, which takes place on August 18th and 19^th.