Dáithí hits right note with Rose contestants

T’WAS lovely and fair as the entrants in this year’s Rose of Tralee festival got their first taste of the spotlight which will shine upon them for another week when they gathered at the RTÉ studios in Dublin yesterday.

The weather lived up to the reputation of the famous ballad as glorious sunshine greeted the 32 Roses during their first official photocall for the 2010 contest.

Also there to welcome the Roses was the show’s new host, Dáithí Ó Sé, who treated them to a brief and slightly off-key rendition of a Beyoncé hit.

“All the single ladies,” warbled the cheeky RTÉ and TG4 presenter.

However, the centre of attention yesterday was not the most eligible bachelor in Kerry but Dublin Rose Niamh Sherlock as she was celebrating her 27th birthday.

“It’s amazing. Everyone is brilliant. I’m enjoying the moment and not thinking too much about next week yet,” smiled the charity worker with the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Down Rose Gemma Murphy, a part-time social worker from Newry, who also works in her family’s jewellery business, said it was a great honour to be her county’s first representative in the Rose of Tralee.

Gemma also expressed surprise that she had been declared one of the early favourite by the bookies.

“I’m ignoring it to be honest. It makes you feel like a bit of horse,” she laughed.

The 52nd staging of the event consists of 32 Roses from Irish communities around the globe.

Cork Rose Laura Mitchell — a 27-year-old drama teacher with the Montfort College from Rochestown — said she decided to enter the competition in the last year she would be eligible after being encouraged by boyfriend Frank Cummins. “I’ve always genuinely wanted to be a Rose. I watch it every year and I always cry when the winner gets picked,” she said.

A few of the Roses joked that they had done research on this year’s presenter given that Dáithí has taken over from Ray D’Arcy in the compère role.

“I watched Dáithí on YouTube so I could get a handle on his accent,” laughed one foreign Rose.

The popular weatherman also expressed pride at being the first Kerryman to host the Rose of Tralee contest.

“It’s huge. It means so much to the people of Kerry. It’s like Kerry playing an All-Ireland at home in Tralee for them,” he said.

The festival starts on Friday with the Rose of Tralee selection being broadcast live from the Festival Dome on RTÉ over two nights, from 8pm on August 23-24.