You saw all of the action from the stage over the course of the Rose of Tralee, but now we're giving you a look at what happened behind the scenes at the contest.
"Everyone's in great form" - host Dáithí Ó Sé gave a rundown of his day and what to expect from the first night of the competition.
We had a few words with host with the most @daithi_ose as the countdown begins for the #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/jN4lpWVclT
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 21, 2017
@RTEOne getting ready pic.twitter.com/KEzUdhBID1
— Dáithí Ó Sé (@daithi_ose) August 21, 2017
We spoke to a number of the Roses backstage with the Darwin Rose saying "it has been absolutely incredible" to finally being in Tralee, while the Melbourne Rose told RTÉ Entertainment that it was "humbling" to represent her city.
We caught up with a bunch of Roses ahead of tonight's big show #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/K0I5S8sdvd
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 21, 2017
For every Rose there's a well-dressed escort...
The escorts are all lined up and ready to go. #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/I7taGp4qbo
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 21, 2017
"It's not all fun and games" - the escorts reveal what it all really entails!
Being a #RoseofTralee escort? Not all fun and games by the sound of things! pic.twitter.com/nvCN2Di6Ms
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 21, 2017
After a surprise jive with Derek Ryan, the Fermanagh Rose couldn't hide her excitement on the first night of the contest...
The Fermanagh Rose is still buzzing after her surprise jive with her fave country legend @derekryanmusic #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/3DRY4LvcNX
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 21, 2017
And Derek was only too happy to be involved in the festival himself, remembering watching the show as a child...
.@derekryanmusic spills the beans on making his debut on the famous #RoseofTralee #dome stage, and that impromptu jive! pic.twitter.com/ba9Jf5iAlV
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 21, 2017
There was more than one Dáithí on Monday night...
Ready to party with the @daithi_ose puppet #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/AMDxTxTr4Y
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 21, 2017
Ever wondered what goes on backstage during the half time interval?
Things got bananas (and oranges) during the #Roseoftralee halftime break #tralee #dome pic.twitter.com/VeryRl9KK7
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 21, 2017
The escorts dish on their chat up line style...
Say what?! This year's escort of the year finalists share their chat-up secrets. #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/jxMjIwATL6
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 21, 2017
And what better way to end proceedings on Monday night than with a group hug?
All the feels. Lifelong friends in the making at the #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/g6uyNq6X0C
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 21, 2017
As excitement built for the second night of the contest, performer Shane Filan had some words of wisdom for the Roses...
Shane Filan looks forward to performing at tonight's #RoseofTralee and shares some onstage wisdom. @ShaneFilan @RoseofTralee_ @RTEOne pic.twitter.com/tgsTjERMrk
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 22, 2017
He got the Roses on the feet backstage during his performance...
Swaying to the brilliant @ShaneFilan #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/NtRBH9uYW9
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 22, 2017
And he wasn't the only performer in the house - check out these moves...
Look at those moves! 💃🏻#RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/qnn3Lc0xmf
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 22, 2017
And of course, a customary hat tip...
Tip of the hat to all of the Roses so far - stellar job! #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/jPMG7ynzsl
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 22, 2017
There was juggling on Monday, but tonight it was all about the music at the half time mark... And some excitement with balloons...
A bit of halftime entertainment from a trio of escorts. Fair play lads! #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/zO6AH08yZO
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 22, 2017
This escort is blowing the Roses away with his 🎈skills. Party piece of the night #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/InF68GibQw
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 22, 2017
When the show resumes, it's all eyes on the telly..
Captivated. #RoseofTralee pic.twitter.com/EIKhHiBoue
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 22, 2017
And as it reaches peak excitement, the crowd goes wild
And the #roseoftralee crowd have gone wild! pic.twitter.com/PIA26YC1rf
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 22, 2017
Spectacular finish to a spectacular evening. Well done all #RoseofTralee contestants. pic.twitter.com/AXvj8CXHv8
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 22, 2017
As it ends for another year, the brand new Rose of Tralee embarked on his first round of press interviews.
Jennifer Byrne giving her first interviews as #theroseoftralee2017. Go Offaly! pic.twitter.com/rXqQTaeAo0
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) August 22, 2017
For more action from the Rose of Tralee, click here.
