Positive vibes aplenty, tears and some magical musical moments - here's our top moments from the first night of The Rose of Tralee 2023
Boston and New England Rose gets emotional when she's sent a message from America
There was an early awwwww on Monday night when Boston and New England Rose Fiona Weir, a surgical nurse with roots in Leitrim and Mayo, was sent a nice message from her granny Rosaleen back home in Boston. Fiona was resplendent in a baby blue satin gown, and she lifted up those skirts for a spot of Irish dancing to I'm Shipping Up To Boston by Dropkick Murphys. She maybe strayed too close to those stairs for our liking...
A spot of interactive storytime in The Dome
In what may be a Rose of Tralee first (or maybe not), Arizona Rose Ashley Jackson, elegant in a black gown, which for us was one of the frocks of the night, showed off her interactive storytelling skills - with a little help from the audience on sound effects. 25-year-old Ashley, who is originally from Dublin and is pursuing two Master's Degrees at the University of Arizona, read from a children’s book about a train journey. And while Kathryn may have been reluctant to put on her conductor’s hat, Ashely will be hoping that the judges choo choo choose her (you’re fired - Ed).
Dáithí and Rose get all fired up
Rose Katy McFadden proved she was both hot and cool when she challenged Dáithí to a race to see who could climb into firefighting gear the fastest. With gear on loan from Kerry Fire and Rescue Service, a tuxedoed Dots didn't stand a chance, even though - or maybe because - he cheated. He tried to harry Kate as she pulled up her trews and at one point, robbed her helmet and handed it to his co-host Kathryn Thomas, who was standing by with a bell. All this was done to Firestarter by The Prodigy, which may be missing the point, lads. Dáithí even managed to confuse his flash hood with a pair of Y-fronts (not awks at all) and then delivered a piece to camera sounding like Marlon Brando in The Godfather.
Melbourne Rose reads a touchingly honest self-penned poem
In what was the most touching moment of the night, Melbourne Rose Katie Casey, a registered nurse, who is originally from "twenty minutes down the road" in the village of Causeway, recited her own poem. Her verse was especially poignant as Katie had gone through a rough patch in recent years but sought help and offered some words of wisdom for anyone who may be in the same situation - "find what makes you happy". She has seen both sides and was all the stronger for it.
London Rose Amy brings chills with her flute playing
Perhaps the most accomplished Rose of the evening sashayed on stage to the strains of the Garda Band playing the theme to EastEnders (now, there's a sentence we’d never thought we’d write). Amy Gillen is originally from Donegal, and she still has that lifting accent and music really does run in her veins. She trained in classical and jazz at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and also benefited from U2’s Music Generation program. A talented all-rounder, Amy released her debut album, a collection of compositors for flute, last April so there were no prizes for guessing what her party piece was going to be - and it was spellbinding. After James Patrice, dressed as a security man, handed her her VERY expensive 14-carat gold flute, Amy played a moving rendition of The Town I Loved So Well and dedicated it to the late John Hume, a man who had done so much to bring peace to Northern Ireland.
Mayo Rose is angelic on the harp
There was another blissful musical interlude when Mayo Rose and full-time musician Kate Heneghan performed her self-penned harp composition Bealtaine.
Philadelphia Rose Marissa Berry talked tattoos with Kathryn
Philadelphia Rose Marissa Berry really was a force of nature on Monday night and she sure brought some Philly energy to the Kingdom. Oh, and a truly impressive range of tattoos, including a fabulous Tree of Gondor from Lord of The Rings on her upper arm (nerd! - Ed). Marissa also belted out Homeward Bound with real gusto.
Queensland Rose Imogen Westin-Kelly got the paw-fect surprise on stage
You could say Queensland Rose Imogen Weston-Kelly is a bit of a dog-lover. In fact, she's so mad for the madraí, that every time the Rose of Tralee tour bus stopped, she made a point of getting off to search for a dog to cuddle. So, you can imagine her delight when Dáithí arrived on stage with two very special poodles who were looking for hugs! Puppy love never looked sweeter.
The show in The Dome continues on RTÉ One on Tuesday from 8:00pm. Catch up on all the action from night one on RTÉ Player.
