The Rose of Tralee International Festival is back this week, with the first group of Roses having already appeared last night live from the Kerry Sports Academy at MTU and on television screens on RTÉ One.
Tipperary Rose Fiona Kennedy from Clonmel will appear with the second batch of contestants on Tuesday night. Fiona is a Home Economics and Religion teacher at Patrician Presentation Secondary School in Fethard and is proudly flying the flag for the Premier County.
Could it be Tipperary’s year once again?
We had a great run with 2024’s Tipperary Rose, Tara Brady from Ballina, who was a favourite for the title at several points during the competition but ultimately missed out.
The last Tipperary Rose to be crowned was Portroe’s Aoife Kelly, who took the title in 2008.
The Rose Selection programme will air on Monday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 18, from 8pm, with a break for the Nine O’Clock News before resuming at 9.35pm. The programme will be broadcast live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
It will also be available to watch for free, live and on demand, on RTÉ Player for audiences in Ireland and around the world.
Appearing alongside Fiona on Tuesday night will be Roses from:
Carolina; Galway; Kerry; Kilkenny; Louth; New York; Roscommon; San Francisco; Sligo; Toronto; UAE; Waterford; Wicklow.
9. Pictures from the Rose of Tralee Tipperary Rose Fiona Kennedy pictured on the move in Listowel as the Rose Tour reaches Kerry ahead of the 2026 Rose of Tralee International Festival. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD . Domnick Walsh Photographer is an Irish Aviation Authority ( IAA ) approved Quadcopter Pilot. Tralee Co Kerry Ireland. Mobile Phone : 00 353 87 26 72 033 Land Line : 00 353 66 71 22 981 E/Mail : [email protected] Web Site : www.dwalshphoto.ie ALL IMAGES ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT ©
Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD .
10. Pictures from the Rose of Tralee Tipperary Rose Fiona Kennedy, Melbourne Rose Mikaela Whitty and Texas Rose Ally Padgett pictured at Mike the Pies in Listowel as the Rose Tour reaches Kerry ahead of the 2026 Rose of Tralee International Festival. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD .
Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD .
11. Pictures from the Rose of Tralee Roses pictured rehersing their team performance ahead of jersey night as the Rose Tour begins at Knightsbrook Hotel, Co. Meath. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.
Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD .
12. Photos from the Rose Tour ahead of the 2026 Rose of Tralee International Festival. Tipperary Rose Fiona Kennedy, Kildare Rose Jessica Hunter and Newfoundland and Labrador Rose Kathleen Murphy pictured at Ballybunion Golf Club on the Rose Tour ahead of the 2026 Rose of Tralee International Festival. Photo By: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD .
Rose of Tralee