This year's Rose of Tralee contestants have visited RTÉ for their annual photocall.
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.
