10-08-2025
Rose escort: 'I needed to put myself back out there into the community'
It's all too easy for farmers to get isolated and to work all the time, according to Joe Hennessy from Knockcarron, Co. Limerick, who is an escort at this year's Rose of Tralee Festival.
Joe, who runs a dairy calf-to-beef system, said: "I found that after college, I put my head into farming a lot. I felt that I needed to put myself back out there into the community.
"I never played rugby in my life but I joined Galbally rugby this year. I joined Galbally football too. I'm also member of Kilmallock Macra."
Joe is an agricultural adviser with BMJ Consultants in Midleton, Co. Cork, working alongside four fellow Bachelor of Agricultural Science graduates.
"This makes my learning complete and thorough across dairy, beef, sheep and tillage enterprises throughout the counties of Munster," he said.
While in college he chaired the ags and nurses society, Nags Society.
"That year alone we raised €6,000 for BUMBLEance, the children's ambulance service of Ireland and another €3,000 for Movember," he recalled.
Being an escort at the Rose of Tralee festival is Joe's latest effort at putting himself out there, with family members pitching in to keep the farm going while he is in Tralee.
"A trusted local man who regularly helps me at weekends will also be on call to provide support to my family, if needed," said Joe.
"It was something new. Growing up, I was always thinking about how I could help other people.
"As escorts, we can help the Roses get through a very stressful time and have a bit of craic."
Joe said he has also benefitted from the preparation for the role.
"As an escort, I've met 32 great lads and it's a real tight group. They're going to be your friends for life.
"The bootcamp was tough, but it was very good. We spent the weekend down in Dingle and it was very helpful for team bonding."
Combining his job with farming provides the best of both worlds, as it gets him out meeting new people while allowing him to pursue his passion, Joe said.
The 22 year-old remembers buying two calves with his First Communion money and looking up the Green Cert during class in primary school.
He grew up helping on his maternal grandparents' farm.
He explained: "My grandmother lost an arm in a power take-off (PTO) accident when she was 30 and I was there to help her and my grandfather. My father and brother farm at Galbally."
Relishing the chance to work outdoors in a tight-knit community, Joe works to make the farm as efficient as possible to maintain the part-time lifestyle.
Having gone to college in Tralee, Co. Kerry, Joe is thrilled to be back in town as an escort.
"I went down to the festival last year and saw how much craic was at it. I also know a few lads who were escorts in the past and they really recommended it," he said.
"I just love the town and saw an opportunity to go for it."
