Kildare's contestant at Rose of Tralee launch party in Dublin
The Festival will culminate with the televised Rose Selection programme on Monday August 17 and Tuesday August 18
Hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas rose to the occasion on Tuesday (August 11) as they officially welcomed this year’s 32 Roses - including Kildare Rose Jessica Hunter - at St Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin and marked the launch of the 66th Rose of Tralee International Festival.
Rooted in tradition, the Rose of Tralee International Festival continues to unite people from across Ireland and around the world, celebrating Irish identity, heritage and the enduring links that bring Irish communities everywhere together.
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. Features, archive footage, behind-the-scenes content and more will also be available across RTÉ.ie and RTÉ social media platforms over the coming days.
With festivities kicking off in Tralee this Friday 14 August, the Festival will build towards the televised selection of the 2026 International Rose of Tralee, celebrating what is at the heart of the Festival: the people, stories and shared connections that represent the very best of being Irish.
The Festival will culminate with the televised Rose Selection programme on Monday August 17 and Tuesday August 18 from 8pm, with a break for the Nine O’Clock News before resuming at 9:35pm, live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
Dáithí said:
"I'm so excited to be heading back to Tralee again this year. I've been reading all about the Roses and I am delighted to meet them here today and hear their stories. One of the great things about the Rose of Tralee International Festival for me is meeting the Roses on the first day and then seeing them on television a week later, after we have had the chance to get to know them and share in their experiences. It makes those moments on stage even more special."
Kathryn said:
"For so many people, this time of year signals the end of the summer holidays, but for myself, Dáithí and all the Roses, it means something very different — the beginning of so much fun, craic and a wonderful celebration of incredible Irish women from all over the world.I have had the chance to meet all of this year’s Roses already, and they are such an impressive, brilliant group of women. I can’t wait to get back down to Tralee, soak up that incredible atmosphere and, of course, join Dáithí for two fantastic nights of live television. There really is nothing quite like Rose of Tralee week!”
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. Features, archive footage, behind-the-scenes content and more will also be available across RTÉ.ie and RTÉ social media platforms over the coming days.
Carl Mullan is set to dust off his tux and return as Master of Ceremonies for the 2026 Rose of Tralee, bringing his trademark energy, humour and warmth to the stage. With his “tux ready to go”, Carl will be back to warm up the crowd and get the audience ready for another unforgettable night celebrating the 2026 Roses. James Patrice returns with backstage antics as the official Rose Reporter. Follow all the action at home on @rteone channels across Facebook, Instagram, X and Tik Tok. The official hashtag is #roseoftralee.
Rose of Tralee Presenter History
- Dáithí O Sé 2010 - 2026 (15 years to date)
- Kathryn Thomas 2023 -2026 (3 years to date)
- Ray D’ Arcy 2005 – 2009 (5 years)
- Ryan Tubridy 2003 & 2004 (2 years)
- Marty Whelan 1997 – 2002 (6 years)
- Derek Davis 1995 &1996 (2 years)
- Kathleen Watkins 1977 (1 year)
- Gay Byrne 1974 – 1994 (20 years)
- Kevin Hilton, Joe Lynch, Terry Wogan, Brendan O'Reilly, Michael Twomey were early presenters. Although there had been highlights prior to that, Joe Lynch presented the first live broadcast by RTÉ in 1967.
About the Rose of Tralee International Festival
The Rose of Tralee International Festival is a celebration of Irish culture and heritage, connecting the global Irish community. The Festival is supported by over 70 Rose Centres globally in Ireland, the UK, Europe, Middle East, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Now celebrating its 66th festival, 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, heritage and ambition. The five-day Festival culminates in the selection of the International Rose of Tralee, a year-long ambassador role, representing Ireland and the Festival, both locally and around the world.