Sixty years on, and dozens of roses, frocks and party pieces later, the Rose of Tralee International Festival has returned to the Kingdom writes Jess Casey. Love it or loathe it, the annual festival has seen both its ups and downs through its long history, including a televised proposal, financial woes, a gatecrashing priest and a potential boycott.

Kerry County Council has been slammed for undertaking work at a holy well, a recorded monument, which some locals believe may be the site of the original crystal fountain associated with the Rose of Tralee.

IT CAN only be a matter of time before someone brings out the boxset — put in your order now, 48 seasons of the Rose of Tralee live from the capital of Kerry.

Rose of Tralee organisers were unaware during the judging process that the 56th Rose, Maria Walsh, was gay, it emerged yesterday.

London Rose Clare Kamembattu is this morning celebrating the successful end to months of well-practiced smiles, manicures and high-heeled shoe blisters after being named the 2010 Rose of Tralee.