The Rose of Tralee International Festival 2023 will run from Friday, August 18 until Tuesday, August 22.
Dáithí Ó Sé has hosted the international festival since 2010 and this year, he will be joined by Kathryn Thomas at the helm.
32 Roses will represent the Irish diaspora worldwide this year from Rose Centres across Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
Mayo’s Kate Heneghan has been made the early favourite to win, with BoyleSports making her a 5/1 shot to be crowned the winner at this month’s festival.
The 27-year-old, who hails from Castlebar, boasts a Masters in Music composition on her impressive CV.
The keen harpist has already toured the world as a musician, and she also teaches Irish traditional and classical music.
There could also be cause for local celebrations in Tralee as Kerry representative Kelsey Lang McCarthy, another keen musician with aspirations to be an ambulance paramedic, is 9/1 second favourite to keep the crown in the Kingdom.
A first win in the competition for County Longford isn’t out of the question with nurse Grace Kemple chalked up as third favourite at 10/1, with Carlow, Clare, Cork, Down and Toronto roses also prominent in the early betting.
Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “Mayo wasn’t for Sam this year, but they could be toasting the Rose of Tralee in the west as musician Kate Heneghan is hitting all the right notes with punters so far.”
