ROSE OF TRALEE: Viewing figures show popularity of annual event may be wilting

It was the most nail-biting finale in recent Rose of Tralee history, but the number of people who tuned in to see Tuesday night’s neck- and-neck finish suffered a significant ratings slump.

Official figures revealed by RTÉ show that a total of 760,300 people were glued to their TVs as Philadelphia’s Maria Walsh was named 2014 Rose of Tralee just before 11.30pm on Tuesday night.

However, while the rate is high, it is still far short of the 808,140 who tuned in for the big moment in 2013, 892,000 in 2012, 943,000 in 2011, 1.074m in 2010 and 855,000 in 2009.