For a few days each summer, a town in County Kerry becomes the centre of attention in Ireland. The Rose of Tralee International Festival enters its main event on Monday 17 August 2026, with the first of two major selection nights broadcast on Irish television.
This year, 32 Roses from Ireland and Irish communities around the world are taking part. After several days of celebrations in Tralee, they will take to the stage on Monday evening, followed by a second programme on Tuesday, when the Rose of Tralee 2026 will be named.
Yet behind this hugely popular television event lies a tradition deeply rooted in Irish culture. During the festival, Tralee is transformed: performances, music, entertainment and gatherings set the pace in this small Kerry town which, for a few days, becomes the “town of the Roses”.
Rose of Tralee 2026: the main nights begin on Monday
Two decisive nights on 17 and 18 August
The most eagerly anticipated part of the Rose of Tralee 2026 begins this evening.
The first selection night is scheduled for Monday 17 August from 8pm. The second will take place on Tuesday 18 August, also from 8pm.
Both programmes will be broadcast on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player and hosted by Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas.
A total of 32 contestants are taking part in this year’s event. Some represent Irish counties, while others come from diaspora communities around the world.
Over the two nights, viewers will discover their backgrounds, personalities, passions and connection with Ireland.
What is the Rose of Tralee?
Much more than a simple contest
For a French traveller encountering the event for the first time, the concept can seem rather puzzling.
The Rose of Tralee is not presented by its organisers as a traditional beauty pageant. Physical appearance is not intended to be the main selection criterion.
Instead, the festival places greater emphasis on the contestants’ personalities, backgrounds, aspirations and ability to represent Ireland and its communities.
Each contestant represents a region or an Irish community. The Roses come from counties across the island, as well as from Irish communities based overseas.
It is precisely this international dimension that makes the event distinctive: the Rose of Tralee also tells the story of an Ireland whose diaspora extends far beyond its borders.
Why are they called the “Roses”?
A reference to a famous Irish song
The festival takes its name from The Rose of Tralee, a famous 19th-century Irish ballad.
The song tells the story of a woman named Mary, celebrated more for her personal qualities than for her beauty alone.
When the modern festival was established in Tralee in 1959, this figure naturally became its symbol.
More than six decades later, the name is inseparable from the town. In Ireland, mentioning “The Rose” in August is often enough for everyone to know which event is being discussed.
32 Roses take part in the 2026 event
Contestants from Ireland and around the world
The 2026 event brings together 32 Roses, once again highlighting the importance of the Irish diaspora.
The contestants arrived in Kerry ahead of the major television nights and are taking part in numerous events, gatherings and activities organised around the festival.
This diversity is one of the distinctive features of the Rose of Tralee. Some contestants live in Ireland, while others maintain their connection with the country from abroad, sometimes several generations after their families emigrated.
Each summer, the festival thus becomes a striking snapshot of the global Irish community.
Who is hosting the Rose of Tralee 2026?
Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas return as hosts
This year’s television nights are hosted by Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas.
Dáithí Ó Sé has become one of the faces most closely associated with the festival. The Irish presenter has hosted the programme for many years and has played a major role in shaping its current television identity.
Kathryn Thomas is joining him once again for the 2026 event.
The pair will welcome the Roses on stage during the programmes on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 August.
When will the Rose of Tralee 2026 be announced?
The result is expected on Tuesday evening
Viewers will have to wait until the second night to learn the name of the Rose of Tralee 2026.
The selection continues on Monday and Tuesday, with the new Rose due to be announced at the end of the programme on Tuesday 18 August.
The winner’s identity is therefore not yet known at the time of publication.
The selected Rose will succeed the previous winner and become one of the festival’s leading ambassadors for the year.
The Rose of Tralee completely transforms the town
Tralee moves to the rhythm of the festival for several days
To understand the importance of the Rose of Tralee, it is best to experience it in person.
The festival is not limited to the television programmes broadcast in the evenings. For several days, Tralee becomes a true festival town.
The Roses take part in gatherings and events, while the town centre hosts a range of activities. Music, performances and a festive atmosphere traditionally accompany this event, which draws many visitors to Kerry.
Tralee’s pubs and venues also contribute to this distinctive atmosphere. For travellers in the area, the contrast with the town’s usually much quieter character can be striking.
Where is Tralee?
North of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry
Tralee is the main administrative town of County Kerry, in south-west Ireland.
It lies close to some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. The Dingle Peninsula begins to the west of the town, while Killarney lies further south.
Its location makes it easy to include the Rose of Tralee in a trip to Kerry.
Travellers following the Wild Atlantic Way can, in particular, plan a stop in Tralee before continuing to Dingle and Slea Head, or heading south towards Killarney and the national park.
Should you visit Tralee during the Rose of Tralee?
Yes, provided you enjoy lively towns
Visiting Tralee during the festival offers a very different experience from a traditional trip to Kerry.
It is an excellent time to discover a particularly popular side of Irish culture, meet local people and enjoy the festival atmosphere.
However, visitors should expect larger crowds than usual.
Travellers wishing to stay in Tralee during the busiest days would therefore be wise to arrange their accommodation in advance. Getting around and parking may also be less straightforward around the main events.
Conversely, those primarily seeking the peace and quiet of Kerry’s landscapes may prefer to stay outside the town and visit Tralee for just a few hours.
Why is the Rose of Tralee so popular in Ireland?
An event that has become inseparable from the end of summer
It is difficult to explain the Rose of Tralee solely through its concept. Much of its significance comes from its place in Irish popular culture.
The festival has existed since 1959, and its television broadcast has gradually made it a national fixture.
For several generations of Irish people, the Rose of Tralee nights have been among those events that almost signal the end of summer.
Each year, the programme prompts comments, debates and reactions, while retaining its distinctive atmosphere combining tradition, television entertainment, diaspora and Irish identity.
How to watch the Rose of Tralee 2026
Both nights are broadcast on RTÉ
The first Rose of Tralee 2026 programme will be broadcast on Monday 17 August from 8pm.
The second night is scheduled for Tuesday 18 August from 8pm.
The programmes will be broadcast on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
For travellers currently in Ireland, many pubs and venues may also be showing the event, as the programme is such a familiar part of Irish television in August.
The festival continues until 18 August
A second decisive night awaits Tralee on Tuesday
After Monday’s first major night, attention will remain focused on Tralee for another 24 hours.
On Tuesday evening, the final Roses will take to the stage before the eagerly awaited announcement of the Rose of Tralee 2026.
This article will be updated as soon as the result is officially announced.
