Rose of Tralee: Emotional tributes, standout performances and favourites emerge on night one

From Irish dancing ovations to emotional tributes, the first Rose of Tralee selection night delivered standout performances and surprises

Cork Rose Nancy Lehane sang a ballad local to her native Meelin, North Cork, called 'The village on the Hill', an apt title for a village feted as the highest in Ireland. Picture: Domnick Walsh

Mothers, a judicial assistant from the Four Courts, and a clinical research associate are among this year’s contestants for the Rose of Tralee.

Monday night saw 18 of the 32 rose contestants appear on the first of two selection nights of this year’s festival. First up was the Meath Rose, Ella Bannon.