Kerry County Council officially welcomed the 2025 Rose of Tralee International Festival to Tralee at a civic ceremony held at the Island of Geese on Friday.

The event, staged at the wonderful public realm space in glorious sunshine, saw the Roses, Escorts, Rose Buds and Rose Buddies and Executive Committee of the Rose of Tralee International Festival all warmly greeted to the town by Mayor of Tralee, Cllr. Terry O’Brien. 

Minister Norma Foley T.D. also expressed a heartfelt welcome to the Roses, and had a special mention of acknowledgement for the Escorts, Rose Buds and Rose Buddies.

Executive Chair of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, Anthony O’Gara thanked Kerry County Council for the civic welcome and expressed his wish for another successful Rose of Tralee Festival and Féile Thrá Lí.

The 2024 Rose of Tralee, Keely O’Grady, reflected on her time as the Rose of Tralee as her reign will come to an end when the 2025 Rose of Tralee is announced on Tuesday night.

A beautiful performance by the choir, Cór Seoda Tíre, under the direction of Martina Ryan-Murphy, provided a musical interlude to proceedings before the dancers, musicians and singers from Siamsa Tire entertained the audience