Ballymena man will be Tralee judge

Paul Neeson, who grew up in Devenagh Way, is one of five judges for the event, which started on Friday and finishes today (Tuesday).

Paul, who is a first cousin of Hollywood actor Liam Neeson, is Retail Director with Dublin Airport Authority, which is one of the sponsors of this year’s Rose of Tralee Festival.

He said of his glamorous new role: “It’s honour to be asked to judge the Rose of Tralee and to be associated with this legendary Irish event”.

A former pupil of St Louis Grammar and a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, Paul has spent his entire professional career in the retail sector.

While still at school, he worked in Harris’ Confectionery and Tobacconist, which used to be on Church Street.

After college, Paul worked with Primark, Debenhams and Virgin Megastores before joining DAA in 1990. Paul’s father Michael, who is a retired postman, and his mother Marjorie still live in Ballymena, while his siblings Lawrence, Stella and Catherine are all living in Liverpool, but return home regularly to see family and friends.

During his time at DAA, Paul has headed the team which developed the award-winning retail brand The Loop for Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports. DAA’s retail operation ARI has also won international awards for its Irish Whiskey Collection store, and the quality of its restaurants and bars.

The Rose of Tralee judging panel is chaired by RTE television presenter Mary Kennedy and has the task of picking one of the entrants to represent the Festival and the global Irish community of over 70 million people on a world stage.

While in Tralee Paul and his fellow judges have the task of interviewing the 32 Roses individually and in groups, while also observing how the Roses interact informally with the 200,000 people who are expected to visit Tralee for the five-day Festival.