Stray Cows, Tributes And A Wife With A Slingshot: The Rose Of Tralee Gets Underway

It all kicked off in Tralee last night as the first 18 of the crown hopefuls did their bit on stage to impress the Rose of Tralee 2012 judging panel.

Daithí O’Sé took to the stage once again in all his light-hearted glory to present the show to the 2,500 strong audience.

The first selection night was full of highs and lows, with Kerry Rose Ann-Marie Hayes, 24, sharing the story of her dad’s recent death.

The show was also filled with emotion as two friends of Adrienne Hussey, Texas Rose 2010, who died in January following a suspected brain haemorrhage paid tribute to her on stage.

The 26-year-old moved to Dublin after she met her boyfriend Eoin Treanor at the festival, when he was her escort.

Philadelphia Rose Beth Spellman and Texas Rose Kelly Gaetano paid tribute.

The girls pose as they travel the country before the big show.

The highs were full of craic and banter as a cow, planned to come on stage for the Ottawa Rose Avaleigh Eastman, “got a bit lively” outside with an apparent bout of stage fright and had to be led away from the Dome.

The audience were unaware Daisy from Dingle was kicking off outside but seconds before she made her debut, the organisers decided to hold back on the bovine’s appearance.

The stunt had been planned as a surprise for the Ottawa Rose who, it was hoped, would give Daithi an impromptu demonstration on how to milk a cow.

“She had no idea it was going to happen,” an RTÉ insider told The Daily Star.

“Daisy was stowed away in an area completely separate to the Dome, so the public and even the Roses hadn’t a clue.

“But Daisy got a bit lively and we had to pull the plug. She totally left herself down!”

All smiles before the big day...

Tonight’s final should be as equally entertaining as The Coronas take to the stage for a live performance before last year’s winner, Tara Talbot, hands over her crown. Rugby star Ronan O'Gara will present the winner with the crown.

Mayo Rose Dervla Kenny poses outside Newbridge Silver.

Daithi’s wife Rita Talty will be in the crowd once again, sometimes cringing, sometimes laughing.

Daithi called the festival the “festival of love” last night on stage;

“This is the festival of love. Two years ago I came with a Rose girlfriend, last year I arrived engaged and I’m proud to stand in front of you a married man.”

Some of the Roses pose for photos outside Newbridge Silver.

But the 36-year-old presenter joked that his new wife Rita would be sitting in the front row “with a slingshot” in case he lost the run of himself on stage.

Tune in tonight on RTÉ1 at 8pm.