Rose of Tralee Festival 2025
The Rose of Tralee International Festival 2025 is currently taking place in Tralee, County Kerry, from August 15 to August 19, 2025. This iconic Irish festival, inspired by the 19th-century ballad "The Rose of Tralee," celebrates Irish culture and heritage, uniting communities globally through a five-day event featuring parades, live music, street entertainment, fireworks, and the selection of the Rose of Tralee, a young woman of Irish descent chosen for her personality, intelligence, and connection to Irish heritage.
Key Details:
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Dates: August 15–19, 2025.
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Selection Nights Broadcast: The Rose of Tralee Selection Nights, where 32 Roses from Ireland and international centers (e.g., USA, Australia, New Zealand) compete for the title, are televised live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Monday, August 18, and Tuesday, August 19, starting at 8:00 PM IST, with a break for the Nine O’Clock News, concluding around 11:25 PM. The 2025 Rose of Tralee will be crowned on Tuesday, August 19.
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Hosts: Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas.
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Events: The festival includes the Féile Thrá Lí street festival with over 60 hours of free entertainment, such as three parades (including the Moonlight Parade), SkyFest Fireworks, a Family Town Park Festival, a Wellness Zone, an Irish Culture & Language Zone, and live concerts. The Rose Parade and the Festival Fashion Show are major highlights, alongside family-friendly activities like a circus, funfair, and markets.
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New for 2025: The introduction of "Rose Buddies," allowing boys aged 6–10 to join the traditional Rose Buds program (previously only for girls), accompanying Roses during events like the parade and TV show.
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Participants: 32 Roses represent centers worldwide, including nine from North America (e.g., Texas, Washington D.C., Boston). The selection process emphasizes personal achievements, cultural pride, and community involvement, not just beauty.
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Cultural Significance: The festival, dating back to 1959, attracts over 100,000 visitors annually and fosters global Irish connections. It’s rooted in the story of Mary O’Connor, celebrated in the ballad, with a bronze statue and Rose Wall in Tralee Town Park commemorating past Roses.
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Rose of Tralee 2025 Contestants
Here are the Roses taking part in this year’s festival, representing counties across Ireland and Irish communities abroad:
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Arizona Rose
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Armagh Rose
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Boston Rose
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Carlow Rose
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Cork Rose
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Dublin Rose
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Down Rose
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Fermanagh Rose
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Germany Rose
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Kerry Rose
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Laois Rose
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Limerick Rose
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Longford Rose
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London Rose
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Luxembourg Rose
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Mayo Rose
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Meath Rose
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New Zealand Rose
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Ohio Rose
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Offaly Rose
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Ottawa Rose
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Philadelphia Rose
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Queensland Rose
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South Australia Rose
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Sydney Rose
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Texas Rose
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Toronto Rose
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Tyrone Rose
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United Arab Emirates Rose
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Washington DC Rose
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Western Canada Rose
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Wexford Rose
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What Makes the Rose of Tralee Special?
Every contestant, whether she’s from Kerry or Canada, carries her own mix of tradition and modern Irish identity. The festival is more than a competition — it’s a celebration of Irish culture, pride, and connection across the world. Many Roses highlight their Irish roots while also bringing perspectives from the countries they now call home.
For the audience, that means an event full of charm, music, personal stories, and plenty of character. And for the contestants, it’s about forming friendships and creating memories that last well beyond the stage lights.
What Time is Rose of Tralee on TV?
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The festival’s live televised nights are Monday, August 18, and Tuesday, August 19.
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Both nights will air from 8:00 pm Irish Time (BST) on RTÉ One, with simultaneous streaming available on RTÉ Player.
That’s your prime-time viewing window for the Rose Selection nights!
