Rose of Tralee co-host Dáithí Ó Sé: 'I can’t wait. It’s going to be something special'

2025 festival launched as former Rose Clare Kambamettu — who recently announced her engagement to Ryan Tubridy — is named as a judge in the televised contest 

Dáithí Ó Sé on board the MV Cill Airne in Dublin with the Roses representing Meath, Ella Bannon; Ottawa, Rachel Hoare; Cork, Nancy Lehane; and Washington DC Soracha McGrath. The Rose of Tralee International Festival runs from Friday to next Tuesday, with the live TV show on air on Monday and Tuesday. Picture: Domnick Walsh

It was full steam ahead for this year’s Rose of Tralee contestants on Tuesday as the festival kicked off in style aboard the former tender ship the MV Cill Airne.

The vessel, which is now a floating restaurant located on North Wall Quay in Dublin, played host to participants as well as the show’s presenters Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas.