Henry Healy the 8th cousin of President, Barack Obama, has been selected to take his place as a Newbridge Silverware Escort at the 2013 Rose of Tralee International festival this summer.

Healy, who hails from Moneygall, was selected to be among the 32 lucky lads who will enjoy the best job in Ireland this summer.

Nearly 200 men aged between 21 and 30 applied to become escorts at this year’s Rose Gathering and following a detailed interview process, the final 32 were selected to take part in a Boot Camp weekend in north Kerry to help them prepare them for a busy week in Tralee.

The escorts will not discover who their Roses will be until they arrive in Tralee on Friday 16th August.

Not only is he Barack Obama’s 8th cousin, Henry Healy is a community activation leader with the national organization ‘Ireland Reaching Out.’ He is also involved in the Moneygall Development Association as PRO and promotes events in the village. Healy is interested in sport and drama and his ideal holiday would be to Disneyworld Florida and then on to Las Vegas.

William Doyle of Newbridge Silverware, lead sponsor of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, said: “We are delighted to extend our lead sponsorship of the Rose of Tralee International Festival to the Escort of the Year. It is a natural fit for our brand since we continue to be associated with a host of Irish ambassadors. Indeed, our Gents Style Collection is a favourite amongst our male consumer. We wish each individual Escort a most enjoyable and memorable Festival experience.”

On Monday night 19th August, one of the 32 Escorts will be announced as the Newbridge Silverware Escort of the Year for 2013 and he will walk away with a wonderful prize valued at €5,000.

Escort Coordinator with the Rose of Tralee International Festival, Colm Croffy, said: “Being an Escort is not an easy job but we are confident that the 32 lads who will be heading to Tralee in August will be fully adept at holding doors, handbags, hairspray and lipstick for their respective Roses. Each of the 32 Escorts has been put through his paces at a gruelling, yet fun Boot Camp weekend in Ballybunnion, Co Kerry. The Boot Camp puts the boys under some pressure and also teaches them teamwork and some discipline, all of which are qualities that are very much needed for Festival Week.”