Revamped Rose of Tralee festival starts 2016 search in Cork

A new selection process, twice as many Roses, an extra night on television, and a longer festival are all reasons why this year’s Rose of Tralee will be the best yet, according to host Dáithí Ó Sé and reigning rose Elysha Brennan.

The duo were in Cork yesterday to launch the search for 2016’s bunch, trekking up Patrick’s Hill and into Rathmore Terrace to try and tempt eligible young men and women into becoming escorts and roses.

“It’s very, very, exciting and it’s good that this year it’s going to be shaken up a small bit,” said Dáithí, who will be hosting the show for the seventh time in August.