The Rose of Tralee has given us epic memes and viral videos throughout the years, and the first night of this year's live shows didn't disappoint - relive the best moments here!
Moo-ve Over!
Laois Rose Gráinne Hogan, a 23-year-old farmer who milks 110 Friesian cows on a daily basis, decided to show Mr. Ó Sé how she goes about her daily work routine.
"I had an idea that I was going to race you, and maybe put a timer on, to see how much milk we could get into the bucket," she told the man himself.
Set to the Glenroe theme tune, Daisy the fake cow was brought out on stage, as the pair raced against the clock to fill their buckets.
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The Fold
Imelda Scally, the lovely Leitrim Rose, had the most unique party piece of the night and wowed the audience with her origami skills.
"Back in the day before I was a wedding coordinator, I was setting tables and folding a few napkins.
"Tonight, I'm going to fold three napkin styles," Imelda said, before Dáithí cued some 'Napkin Cole' music to be played.
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From creating a bishop's hat to a candlestick, and the Sydney Opera House, the sales manager managed to fold the crowd over with her quirky trick.
No Pain, No Gain
"I'm going to get beat up again this year on the Rose of Tralee..." Dáithí said as he found himself taking part in a jiu-jitsu demonstration with Toronto Rose Carly McGrath.
Even as he got into his jacket you could see the fear in his eyes, and Carly was less than impressed with his efforts of strapping on his white belt - which was no match for her blue.
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"Sure I don't know what I'm doing with this belt, do I?" he laughed.
Quickly learning that shouting was not enough to make Carly stop, there's a strict tap on the arm rule, Dáithí made the audience crack up laughing as he yelled, "You're going to hurt me... I've to be back here tomorrow..!"
Dolly Ó Sé
Arizona Rose Kelsey Kelleher is passionate about costume design – she even designed her own dress, with cacti and shamrocks in her embroidery to represent Arizona and Ireland, including a nod to the Rose of Tralee itself – and she had a dress-up challenge for Dáithí.
Meet, Dolly Ó Sé.
"A very grey Dolly Ó Sé," Dáithí noted, unimpressed.
"I tried to stick to realism, Dáithí," Kelsey laughed.
As the pair embarked on a race to see who could dress up their Renaissance fair-themed dolls, Dáithí pondered, "Why didn't I stay teaching?"
Dolly Ó Sé at least ended up somewhat dressed by the end!
Par-tea!
Would you like a cup of tea? Ah, go on go on go on go go go on.......! Kilkenny Rose Helena Hughes definitely gives Mrs. Doyle from Father Ted a run for her money.
The 26-year-old buying assistant and fashion student loves collecting novelty tea pots - and her extensive collection is nothing short of being tea-rrific!
"It started off with houses and then I branched out to a Christmas train and a stable with horses. They are fabulous," Helena said. And we couldn't agree more!
I do like a good novelty tea pot though🙈😂#Kilkennyrose #RoseofTralee
— EimerMcPhillips (@EimerMcP) August 20, 2018
Mum's the Word
Carlow Rose Shauna Ray Lacey is the first mum to ever appear in the contest. The 24-year-old even had her adorable three-year-old daughter Emmy in the crowd to cheer her on (Awh bless).
Speaking to Dáithí about her little bundle of joy, she said as she beamed into the crowd: "I am mammy to the most beautiful little girl. Hello sweetheart!"
"She's down there with her daddy and her nanny and all of my supporters from Carlow. I'm so happy she gets to see her mammy up here, it's the best feeling," she said.
You tend not to hear these kinds of stories on the #roseoftralee. You don't even see Roses who have children. It's a bit refreshing. Maybe the start of a change?
— Anna Byrne (@a_byrne_) August 20, 2018
Blow it up now ref. Carlow rose. Outstanding 👏👏 #Roseoftralee
— Rory's Stories (@RorysStories) August 20, 2018
Oh my god this #Carlow Rose is amazing! What a role model! #Roseoftralee
— Eimear O'Mahony (@munsterpixie) August 20, 2018
The Carlow Rose was such a breath of fresh air. Open, frank, funny, real. Exactly the type of woman I want to hear from. #RoseofTralee
— ⭐ amy o'connor ⭐ (@amyohconnor) August 20, 2018
Shauna, who lives with her partner John, received a huge round of applause after she sang Crazy World in tribute to her late father who used to sing the song to her when she was growing up.
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Kerry Pride
Kerry Rose Celine O'Shea showed her county pride as she spoke to Dáithí about her own memories of the Rose of Tralee growing up.
"There's little girls coming up to you looking for autographs and like... I'm just looking at them remembering how excited I was if a Rose even looked at me. So when you see their faces it brings you right back around," she said.
Speaking about being in Tralee, in her native Kerry, Celine said she is "bursting with pride".
"I don't really see it as pressure, especially since we've gotten to Tralee. I'm bursting with pride that the values of what it means to be Kerry; it goes through the whole festival and I'm so proud that this festival brings so many communities together and brings generations together," she gushed.
"I'm just so proud that this is based here in Kerry."
A Sharing of Knowledge
The New Zealand Rose, Jolene McLaughlin, greeted Dáithí twice; once with a traditional handshake, and next with a Maori greeting which saw the two come face to face and nose to nose.
"That is a traditional Maori greeting, it's a sign of saying hello, it's a sign of peace and it symbolises sharing of knowledge, sharing of breath and a sharing of peace," she told him.
"So now I have your knowledge," Jolene quipped, to which Dáithí replied, "And I have yours."
New York State of Mind
The New York Rose turned the tables on the Rose of Tralee host by making him feel under pressure during a hearty party piece segment.
Sarah Ward, a 22-year-old nurse, was first to take to the Rose of Tralee Festival Dome on Monday night - and she made a bloomin' good entrance.
The Hudson Valley native proved to be a great sport (as did Dáithí) as she checked the presenter's blood pressure to see if he was stressed.
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You Raise Me Up
Westmeath Rose Leanne Quinn lifted viewers' spirits with her moo-ving party piece which saw her lifting Dáithí Ó over her shoulders.
The 25-year-old student and power lifting enthusiast may have a fear of cows, but she certainly has no beef with the 'host with the most'.
"I'm going to hook the back of your knee with my elbow," Leanne said to a nervous looking Dáithí, to which he replied, "Hold on a second now, you want me to lie all the way across?"
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For more on this year's competition and for all of the highlights throughout the night, click here
