Earlier this morning, broadcaster Dáithí Ó Sé and 33 Roses caused a stir on Sandymount Beach as they launched the 2022 Rose of Tralee International Festival. We caught up with Ó Sé to find out what this year's show will have in store.
Having been on hiatus since 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2022 festival will be hotly anticipated, and will mark Dáithí's 11th year of presenting,
Speaking at the event this morning, the presenter said: "There's three years of built up excitement because we weren't there in '20 or '21 so I'm really looking forward to it. I've met all the Roses, met the International Roses yesterday for the first time, so we're working on a party piece at the moment."
Ever the showman, the Kerry man showed great restraint and managed to stay mum on the subject, only hinting that there would be a "big surprise" on the first night, a surprise that may or may not involve live animals: "All I'm saying is there might be an icy reception for someone."
Now in its 61st year, the international festival is heralding a "new era" as it now welcomes applicants who identify as female and those who are married, as well as increasing the age limit to 29.
Although Dáithí had hoped that the new rules would welcome a transgender Rose to the 2022 mix, he says that he believes these updates will continue to welcome a diverse range of modern women to the competition.
"Unfortunately, we don't have any trans Roses, I was really looking forward to that chat on stage, but I think there was a very positive message sent out this year, so hopefully next year. I suppose it will take people some time to make the decision to go for the competition itself, and I'm really looking forward to that."
"If the Rose of Tralee wants to stay alive, it has to change," he adds. "And to be fair, they've changed all along. There was a time where you couldn't be married, there was a time where you couldn't have a child. There was a time where the age limit was something like 25, then it went up to 27 and I think it's 29 now. They're changing with the times. It's just another positive move."
"You're sending these things into society and 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 celebrating our Irishness, we're celebrating Irish women."
"It's about people," he continues. "Male, female, trans - we're human beings. I want to talk to people on stage, people have their own story to tell, and could you imagine the journey that person would have to tell on stage. Very, very interesting."
"It's about people and it's about their stories and making that connection with people at home," he concluded. "If you have a trans Rose, and somebody at home who is watching the show, and this is what's going on in their head, they see a person like them on the Rose of Tralee and they can say 'hang on a second, the road is just a little less bumpy for me now'. And isn't that a fantastic thing?"
When asked if he believed the Rose of Tralee would stand the test of time, considering the criticism the show often receives by those who believe it to be outdated, Ó Sé says that the proof is in the pudding.
"It has already stood the test of time," he explains. "I think it's a good yard stick of what's happening in Irish society in 2022. Say in 1973, you might have had a lot of teachers and nurses, so on and so forth, but in 2019 we had engineers, we have a Rose of Tralee who is a doctor at the moment - the longest reigning Rose of Tralee in the world over the last three years - and so it's a good sign of what's happening."
Speaking about how accomplished, well educated, and well travelled the Roses are and will continue to be, Ó Sé promises that the Rose of Tralee will be here "in 100 years time".
As well as some meme-worthy surprises and viral-worthy talents, the Rose of Tralee festival shines a light on Dáithí himself, whether he be wearing his classic tux or his thigh-high red boots.
In the lead up to the big event, the Kerry man often discusses the changes he makes to his lifestyle in order to feel show ready. This year, it seems, is no different.
"I lost a few pounds in 2019 but I found a lot of them," he jokes, "and then I didn't have the Rose of Tralee last year or the year before to straighten myself up again. No gimmicks, no sauna suits, no nothing at all. Just proper eating, plenty of exercise and plenty of water."
"I go tee-total, I ditch the booze. I had one or two drinks over the Summer but that's about it. But a week Thursday, look out," he laughs. "I'm going for it. Seriously, stand back, I'm going for it."
The RTÉ Rose of Tralee International Festival will be back on screens on RTÉ One on Monday, 22 August. It will be available to watch live and on-demand by audiences in Ireland and around the world on RTÉ Player.
