When Roses fade, what next for Tralee?

IT CAN only be a matter of time before someone brings out the boxset — put in your order now, 48 seasons of the Rose of Tralee live from the capital of Kerry.

Does the suggestion — made in a witty Tweet — strike terror into your soul? Possibly, yet you have to wonder why, year on year, the Rose Selection Live strikes TV ratings gold. A mind-blowing 1.7m people tuned into the show this week, making it one of the highest-ranked programmes of the year.

Could Dáithí and the cailíní deasa actually be the most successful reality TV show on earth?