The RTÉ Rose of Tralee International Festival 2022 has been launched, with the 33 International Roses and host Dáithí Ó Sé Kerry-bound after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Tuesday morning in Dublin saw the stars of the show and the presenter take part in a photocall on Sandymount Beach ahead of their trip to the Kingdom and the live shows next Monday and Tuesday on RTÉ One and worldwide on the RTÉ Player.
This year, the mainstay will celebrate its 61st birthday from a new location, Munster Technological University's Kerry Sports Academy, as it takes over from the legendary Dome.
All involved are relishing the festival's return.
"I think we all really missed it," said Ó Sé as he introduced the 33 Roses from Ireland, Britain, the US, Canada, Australia and the Middle East to the media.
"I do feel like it's another sign of things getting back to normal. I am also looking forward to meeting the incredible 33 International Roses."
Of the fun in store, he continued: "I also cannot wait to go back to Tralee to see everyone take to the streets on Saturday night and presenting the shows on Monday and Tuesday, where we will have a few surprises up our sleeves as well when it comes to party pieces."
Looking to the festival's future, Ó Sé added: "Unfortunately, we don't have any Trans Rose [this year]. I was really looking forward to having that chat on stage. There was a really positive message sent out this year, so hopefully next year.
"If the Rose of Tralee wants to stay alive, it has to change. To be fair, it's changed all along.
"There was a time when you couldn't be married, and a time when you couldn't have a child, and a time when the age limit was something like 25.
"It's just another positive move, and you're sending these things into society saying, 'Lads, the Rose of Tralee is there for everyone' - and why shouldn't it be there for everyone? We're here to celebrate ourselves, we're here to celebrate our Irishness, and we're celebrating Irish women."
The RTÉ Rose of Tralee International Festival airs live on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player on Monday 22 August and Tuesday 23 August from 8pm, with features, archive footage, behind-the-scenes content and more available across the RTÉ website and social media platforms in the coming days.
