The Rose of Tralee
Every August, the town of Tralee in County Kerry transforms into a hub of colour and community spirit for the Rose of Tralee International Festival and 2025 promises to be bigger and brighter than ever! With street parades, live music, family fun, and the crowning of a new Rose, this is one of Ireland’s most cherished cultural events. It’s more than a pageant — it’s a powerful celebration of Irish identity, both at home and abroad.
The festival was inspired by the 19th century ballad “The Rose of Tralee,” a love song about Mary O’Connor, a local woman of humble background whose beauty and grace stole hearts. The modern festival began in 1959, aiming to connect Irish women around the world and honour the spirit of Mary — not for beauty alone, but for personality, poise, and cultural pride.
Over the decades, the Rose of Tralee has grown into a global tradition, with contestants (known as Roses) representing Irish communities from Canada to New Zealand, Dubai to Dublin.
The Rose of Tralee isn’t your average competition. Each Rose is nominated by their Irish community abroad or in Ireland and takes part in a week-long celebration that includes interviews, social events, community visits, and public appearances.
There is no strict scoring.It’s about representing values like kindness, authenticity, and Irish heritage with confidence and charm. The televised Rose Selection Nights, filled with laughter, emotion, and the occasional party piece, are a highlight across Irish households every year.
The event will take place in mid to late August, with most of the action centred in Tralee’s Dome and surrounding festival grounds. Can’t make it to Kerry? Don’t worry! The live TV broadcasts are shown on RTÉ, and streamed internationally.
So you can tune in from wherever you are. Want to support your local Rose? Many Irish centres and communities abroad host Rose send-off parties, watch nights, and fundraisers. Or better yet — plan a trip and be part of the electric atmosphere yourself!