Media News
Rose of Tralee hopefuls visit RTÉ
Wednesday 20 August 2008
Visit the Rose of Tralee photogallery.
Speaking to RTÉ.ie about hosting the show, Ray D'Arcy said: "Even if the lead-up seems like you're doing it again and it's GroundHog Day, when you meet the Roses they're all completely different, and it's like every year there's an atmosphere."
Of this year's contestants he said: "There's a lot of tall girls, taller than usual. There's a good few girls over 5 foot 10, which isn't good for me... so I'm investing in a pair of risers. I've been on to Tom Cruise's cobblers in London!"
When asked if he still suffered from nerves on the night, D'Arcy said: "Ah of course, yes. But I think the brilliant thing about the Rose of Tralee is that it's an event that television covers, you know? It's not a television programme. It would happen anyway and I think when you get that into your head it works for the people in the Dome."
Dublin Rose Hannah McDonnell told RTÉ.ie about her love of the contest.
"I don't remember a time when I didn't watch it," she said. "It was a highlight of the summer."
She continued: "I wanted to do it always. When I was 17 I was told that I had to wait until I was 18. And then I went to college and was studying and I was in London for a few years.
"I don't think I knew how fantastic it possibly could be. It's brilliant. It actually is. The girls are lovely. You're sharing a room and you're sharing buses and you get to know everybody. It's like having 31 sisters.
"I'm just living every moment. I'm just in the moment. I'm sure the nerves will come just beforehand. But at the moment... it's just amazing."
Texas Rose Roisín Mulligan, a regular visitor to Ireland, said that her parents had told her about the Rose of Tralee when she was growing up.
She said of the build-up to next week's live event: "Every day it gets a little bit more exciting."
Tipperary Rose Aoife Kelly said of the experience: "People say 'It can't be all that good' but really it is that good and more. It has been brilliant."
Of the week ahead, she said: "I can't wait to get down to Kerry. I'm so excited. It's just been really good, the build-up. We looked at our itinerary for down in Tralee and it's just going to be amazing. Action-packed is not the word.
"I'm not actually a nervous person but I will be nervous five minutes before I get up on stage, with the adrenalin pumping."
The Rose of Tralee will be broadcast on RTÉ One on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 August at 8pm.
Click here for Terms of use
|
Top 10 Most Read
Must Watch TV
-
- The Late Late Show
You can be guaranteed that Ryan Tubridy will host a stellar line-up of high-profile guests, current social issues will get an airing and he'll introduce the very best in all-round entertainment, plus a fabulous prize for someone at home! What more could you ask for from your Friday night viewing?
-
- Who Knows Ireland Best?
Derek Mooney hosts as two teams compete to see who is most in touch and who has their finger on the pulse. Points are awarded for being in agreement with the majority of a survey of 1,000 people across the country. This week, three agricultural consultants (Tom Dawson, Tipperary; Julie Roche, Cork; and Mike Brady, Cork) go head-to-head with three auctioneers (Nora Meaney, Sharon O'Leary and Maura Fenlon, all from Carlow) to see who is more in tune with the nation.
-
- The Big C
As the rest of the neighbourhood gets ready for Hallowe'en, Cathy prepares to start a clinical trial she hopes will cure her cancer. Yet just when Cathy needs him, Paul has to deal with a series of problems at work. And as they are arriving at the hospital, Cathy's search for a parking spot ends with her harmlessly hitting another patient with her car. Meanwhile, as Adam grows increasingly agitated by his mom's illness, Sean's Hallowe'en plans lead him to suspect that Marlene's ghost is haunting his house.
-
- Hustle
Albert decides to pay a nostalgic visit to an old haunt, only to find it's been pulled down by ruthless property tycoon and former '80s game show host, Dale Ridley (played by Mark Williams) in this week's episode. Posing as international businessmen, the team lure Dale into a scam, convincing him to purchase the television studios that fired him in his showbiz heyday on their behalf. Will the temptation to get revenge on his old employers be enough to trick the greedy entrepreneur?
-
- Safari Vet School
Thirty-two vet students are at one of the toughest vet schools in the world in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Under the guiding hand of Chief Vet, Dr Will Fowlds, the students tackle everything from lions to rhinos to giraffes and elephants. In tonight's episode, TV vet Steve Leonard who presents the show is pushed to his limits when he's left in charge of 16 vet students and a hall of 100 barking dogs while Cambridge student Nadia gets a second chance at being a team leader.