All roads lead to Tralee as Roses take the stage tonight

The vibrant Rose of Tralee International Festival is in full swing in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, captivating audiences with a blend of entertainment and cultural celebration. This year's event, broadcast live on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player, features 32 "Roses" vying for the coveted title over two nights, Monday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 18.

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a wonderful celebration of incredible Irish women from all over the world

Veteran presenters Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas are guiding viewers through the festivities. They will engage with the diverse group of women representing Irish communities worldwide. Ó Sé expressed his enthusiasm for the event, calling it "one of the best gigs of the year" and highlighting the opportunity to showcase his home county of Kerry.

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I think it's going to be a fun show - and this is the magic of the Rose of Tralee. You've all the craic and crazy stuff like dog yoga and ice baths that the production team come up with, but then you have women who are chaplains and biomedical engineers, and women who are taking part in the show because they lost someone very special to them.

Thomas emphasized the festival's unique ability to balance lively entertainment with genuine connection. "You've all the craic and crazy stuff like dog yoga and ice baths that the production team come up with, but then you have women who are chaplains and biomedical engineers," she noted. She also underscored the festival's importance for the Irish diaspora, stating that "when you are living in Australia or the Middle East and you can feel a long way from home, the Rose centres can be a community and that link for so many families who have emigrated."

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You've got the diaspora coming over from abroad. I think that's always a big reminder for me that when you are living in Australia or the Middle East and you can feel a long way from home, the Rose centres can be a community and that link for so many families who have emigrated. I think it is easy to forget that as Irish people living here, how important that is for people to maintain their connection to Ireland and home.

Beyond the stage performances and interviews, the festival serves as a powerful reminder of Irish heritage and identity for those living abroad. It fosters a sense of belonging and maintains a vital link to Ireland for emigrants, reinforcing the idea that "it is easy to forget that as Irish people living here, how important that is for people to maintain their connection to Ireland and home."

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It's one of the best gigs of the year, even though I was on Up for the Match a few weeks ago! This is something I look forward to every year. It's a great show to be on. I'm on home territory doing it as well, which is always good. Any time you can show off Kerry and Tralee is always a good day. I'm excited about it again this year.