For the first time since 2019, the RTÉ Rose of Tralee International Festival will be back on screens on Monday 22 August.
Earlier this week, host Dáithí Ó Sé introduced all 33 International Roses for the first time ahead of this year's 2022 Rose of Tralee broadcast on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
The 33 International Roses represent the Irish diaspora worldwide including, centres in Ireland, Britain, United States, Canada, Australia and the Middle East.
Ahead of the big event on Monday night, we caught up with three of the 33 Roses taking part in this year's festival, in order to get a snapshot of the modern Irish women taking part.
Galway Rose: Clare Ann Irwin
Representing Galway is Clare Ann Irwin, a primary school teacher turned undertaker who has a passion for inspiring young women to break into any industry their heart desires, no matter how male-dominated they may be.
Having originally studied Primary School teaching and Psychology in Mary Immaculate College, the Galway girl decided to follow her heart and change career paths just over two years ago, which led her to join her family's funeral business.
Speaking on her hope to inspire young women during her time at the festival, Clare told RTÉ Lifestyle:
"I'm an embalmer and a funeral director but, growing up, I would have always believed that I wouldn't have been able to do it because I'm a woman, and a lot of other people would have told me that as well."
"It's sad because I always wanted to do it and I was really interested in the embalming side of it and the anatomy and physiology. I went to college and did another course, and I liked it but I knew deep down that it wasn't my purpose or what I wanted to do."
"A big reason why I went for the Rose of Tralee was to try and break down these gender stereotypes because I do think they still exist, and they exist in the jobs you don't have to go to college for. They exist in the trades - electricians, plumbers - jobs that are predominantly carried out by men."
While coaching GAA to a group of young teens, the Galway Rose realised that, even in 2022, these young women didn't believe they could follow in the footsteps of their family's trade.
"Young girls need to see role models in these industries so they grow up to believe they can do it."
Toronto Rose: Maysen Tinkler
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Maysen Tinkler is a student of Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Public Policy with a passion for thrifting. Speaking to RTÉ Lifestyle about her passion for pre-loved pieces, she said:
"I started when I was a teenager, maybe 14, and I just love it. Number one, it's good for the bank account. Number two, you find the most unique pieces. And then on the other note, it's just a bit more sustainable."
"None of us are perfect, I'm still going to buy some stuff at the store, but even just doing a little bit of thrifting can help the environment, helps reduce textile waste, and you find some really cool stuff out of it."
As well as promoting slow fashion, Tinkler will be using her platform to break down stereotypes surrounding those on the autism spectrum.
"I'm the kind of person that sometimes needs to separate myself for a couple of minutes to regroup and recharge. I'm on the autism spectrum so it's something different to prepare for. Social things are a little bit more overwhelming, it doesn't mean I'm not enjoying the Rose of Tralee, but it means I need to take my time to step out and have a couple of minutes to myself before throwing myself back in the game."
"For the TV night, it's just going to be about being confident and having that time to myself. I'm happy to have this platform because I think people have an idea of what autism looks like - it's nobody's fault, it's just the way people understand it - but there are a lot of people out there who have a bunch of different experiences on the spectrum and I want to be that kind of example of how it's not just one thing."
"Even though there's challenges that come with it, it doesn't mean you can't be a Rose."
Wexford Rose: Joy Quigley
Wearing a beautiful white dress and displaying arms filled with beautiful tattoos, Joy Quigley looks every bit the modern Rose.
"I think the Rose of Tralee has grown so much," she says. "It's 2022, not 1959 anymore, so to see it become so much more inclusive is phenomenal. To be a small part of that is really special to me. I'm covered in tattoos so to be able to represent that side of the modern Irish woman is really special"
"I'm not perfect, I do have tattoos, I'm not very good at makeup, I wear weird clothes and I'm accepted and I'm loved for it."
The 26-year-old is qualified Sports Scientist, Personal Trainer and Yoga Instructor who is finalising her Master's Degree in Sports Science, specialising in the Science of Female GAA at Technological University Dublin.
The proud co-owner of The Fitness HQ Online Coaching, alongside her partner, Joy says it has always been a dream to join the Rose of Tralee.
"Like so many young Irish women, I watched the Rose of Tralee growing up. It's one of my first memories, when I was five, watching the Rose of Tralee. I always wanted to do it and in my home town we have the Strawberry Festival, and I was crowned Strawberry Queen so that gave me a bit of a boos of confidence, and I started to understand that maybe people see something in me that I don't see in myself."
"I decided to work on myself and my mental health and my self esteem and when the time was right I would go for it. When it came up, I decided now was my time and I was going to go for it, and whether I was selected or not, it would be a period to grow. Then sure when I won, I nearly died," she laughs.
"It's just incredible. It's so phenomenal. I've learned so much and grown so much already, so I can't wait to see what else can happen."
You can get a run down of all 33 Roses on RTE.ie/Entertainment.
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.
