Festivities are in full swing in Kerry as the countdown begins for this evening’s Rose of Tralee, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player.
There’ll be plenty of craic, excitement, and memorable moments in store, with presenters Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas leading the celebrations and chatting to 32 Roses over two nights – Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 August from 8pm.
The Rose of Tralee International Festival remains one of Ireland’s most enduring and beloved cultural events, bringing together people from across the country and around the world to celebrate Irish identity and heritage.
The Rose of Tralee airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Monday 17 August and Tuesday 18 August
Speaking to RTÉ Entertainment ahead of the festival, co-hosts Ó Sé and Thomas said the event serves as “a wonderful celebration of incredible Irish women from all over the world”.
Thomas said that despite the party tricks and production, the festival is all about maintaining a connection to home.
“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.”
She added: “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.”
Presenters Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas will be chatting to 32 Roses over two nights
Ó Sé said he always looks forward to the festival.
“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.”
The Rose of Tralee will be available to watch for free, live and on demand by audiences in Ireland and around the world on RTÉ Player.
Carl Mullan is set to dust off his tux and return as Master of Ceremonies for the 2026 Rose of Tralee, while James Patrice returns with backstage antics as the official Rose Reporter.
The Rose of Tralee airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Monday 17 August and Tuesday 18 August from 8pm.