The Rose of Tralee International Festival, scheduled from 15 to 19 August in Tralee, Co. Kerry, will offer a five-day programme celebrating Irish culture, community, and heritage through a variety of events. Visitors can expect a mix of ticketed and free activities, with the centrepiece being the televised Rose Selection nights at the Festival Dome, where young women of Irish descent from Ireland and the global diaspora compete for the title of Rose of Tralee, judged on personality, intellect, and cultural connection rather than appearance.
The 2025 lineup includes 32 Roses and their Rose Escorts, alongside 32 Rose Buds and, for the first time, 32 Rose Buddies, children aged 6–10 who participate in parades, parties, and live broadcasts as mini-ambassadors, sponsored by Fairtree Village. Key events include the Rose Parade on Saturday and Tuesday evenings, featuring floats, music, and a fireworks display during the Midnight Madness parade to close the festival. Street entertainment, such as live concerts, circus acts, a funfair, and markets, will animate Tralee’s streets, with free performances at the Féile Thrá Lí and Park Festival in Tralee Town Park.
Family-friendly activities include a fashion show showcasing Irish designers, a carnival, and the Rose of Tralee Golf Classic, a new addition for golfers. The Roses will arrive after a nationwide tour visiting attractions like the Guinness Storehouse and the Rock of Cashel, enhancing their cultural experience. Visitors can explore Tralee’s Blennerville Windmill, Tralee Bay, or nearby Killarney National Park, with accommodation at The Meadowlands Hotel, the official “Home of the Roses,” or The Rose Hotel.
Founded in 1959 by Billy Clifford, Dan Nolan, Jo Hussey, Ted Keane Snr, and Margaret Dwyer, the festival revived the local Carnival Queen event, inspired by the 19th-century ballad “The Rose of Tralee” about Mary O’Connor, attributed to William Pembroke Mulchinock. Initially limited to Tralee women, it expanded in the 1960s to include those from Kerry and, by 1967, women of Irish ancestry worldwide.
Now attracting over 100,000 visitors annually, the festival has grown into one of Ireland’s largest, with a global broadcast reach. Suzan O’Gara, the current festival director, has led since at least 2023, introducing innovations like the Rose Buddies programme to include young boys, emphasising inclusivity and community engagement. Her leadership, supported by Kerry County Council and sponsors like KIA Ireland, has sustained the festival’s cultural significance while adapting to modern audiences, as seen in the 2022 return after pandemic cancellations.
The 2025 festival, marking its 66th year, will maintain its focus on celebrating the aspirations and heritage of young women, with events like the Rose Ball and community initiatives fostering local pride. Visitors are encouraged to book tickets for the Selection Nights via www.roseoftralee.ie, where the full programme will be published closer to August, and to arrange accommodation early due to high demand. The event’s blend of tradition, entertainment, and Tralee’s welcoming atmosphere offers a distinctive experience for families, music enthusiasts, and cultural visitors alike.
