The Rose of Tralee organisers have said they are satisfied with security measures after last night's show was disrupted by a protester.
The contest was interrupted when a man, dressed as a priest, stormed the stage at the Dome during the appearance by the Cavan Rose, Lisa Reilly. He then began shouting in protest on behalf of fathers' rights organisation Fathers4Justice before being removed by security personnel and then taken away by gardai.
The live TV show cut to a competition promo while the man, who was later identified on the Fathers4Justice Twitter page as Matt O'Connor, the founding member of the group.
We need your consent to load this Facebook contentWe use Facebook to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Afterwards Rose of Tralee officials confirmed that the protester had purchased a ticket. However they reassured contestants and the audience that "adequate security measures are in place in the Festival Dome".
During the incident Cavan Rose, Lisa Reilly, and host Dáithí Ó Sé did not lose their composure and were widely praised on social media for how they handled the interruption.
👏🌹Handled with professionalism - @RTEOne @daithi_ose and @RoseofTralee_ #roundofsupport #RoseofTralee
— Maria Walsh (@MariaWalshbiz) August 22, 2016
The poems ban on the #RoseOfTralee has upset a lot of people & priests.. #StageInvasion ☺️ pic.twitter.com/BlmFd7QGWh
— Ibrahim Banks (@TheShowOff85) August 22, 2016
I'm suing the intruder. He made me drop my naggin#RoseofTralee
— Will Leahy (@willleahy) August 22, 2016
How Ted was that? Rose of Tralee #protest
— conor macauley (@TVconormac) August 22, 2016
Monday's show saw 18 finalists appear onstage with Cork Rose Denise Collins' fiery science experiment throwing up the other dramatic moment of the night.
We need your consent to load this Facebook contentWe use Facebook to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
The absence of poetry from the party-pieces certainly seemed to pay dividends. Viewers were treated to lots of drumming and percussion, but the party officially got started when Germany Rose Kari Foss dropped some beats to Lil Wayne’s track A Milli.
That's a rap! Germany Rose Kari Foss dropped some beats on last night's #roseoftraleehttps://t.co/GbNMGF3GNW
— RTÉ Entertainment (@RTE_Ents) August 23, 2016
The spectacle of Dáithí getting into costume as he enjoyed some Brazilian Samba lessons with Sydney Rose Brianna Parkins, also proved to be highly entertaining.
The journalist, who voiced her support for a referendum on the Eighth Amendment, was one of a number of contestants who used their stage-time to draw attention to topical issues. She also provided the night's ultimate Father Ted reference after remarking to the audience - "Doesn't Dáithí have a lovely bottom?".
We need your consent to load this Facebook contentWe use Facebook to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Tuesday night's show will feature 14 contestants, including Roses from Melbourne, Kerry, Texas, Offaly, Philadelphia, Galway, Chicago, Wicklow, Ohio, Longford, North Carolina, London, New Zealand and South Australia.
There will also be a live performance from country star Nathan Carter before the crowning of the 2016 Rose of Tralee.
We need your consent to load this Facebook contentWe use Facebook to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Before Tuesday night's final TV show you can get to know each Rose a bit better by viewing their profiles and online videos here.
