The pale sunlight was rising as the Roses bloomed in the garden

THE pale sun was rising above the aptly-named Montrose yesterday as the countdown to this year’s Rose of Tralee began near the non-crystal fountain in RTÉ headquarters.

The 26 contestants got their first taste of the collective spotlight as they gathered in Dublin for the start of a hectic week.

A blooming good time is certainly on the menu as each Rose sets out to make a good impression on the townsfolk of Tralee as well as the panel of judges.