Daithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas team up to host this year’s Rose of Tralee 

62nd Rose of Tralee International Festival runs from August 18-22 

RTÉ today (Thursday) announced that Kathryn Thomas will join Dáithí Ó Sé as co-host for the Rose of Tralee 2023. The pair will make history as the first ever joint presenters of RTÉ’s coverage of the Festival, broadcasting live from the Kerry Sports Academy at the Munster Technological University (MTU) on August 21st and 22nd on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

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.

This year will mark Dáithí’s 12th year presenting the show, and new presenter Kathryn can’t wait to join him onstage and meet this year’s International Roses.

Kathryn said: “I’m honoured and so excited to join Daithí and the team as co-host of this year’s Rose of Tralee. The Festival has such an incredible legacy in Ireland and all around the world – no better way to celebrate such incredible women. I’ve grown up watching it each year, so it’s very special to get the opportunity to present alongside Daithí. I can’t wait to get started. Tralee here we come!” 

Daithí said: “I’m over the moon to be back presenting the Rose of Tralee for another year, and to welcome my wonderful new co-host Kathryn to the Rose of Tralee family! Kathryn and I have known and worked with each other for over two decades, so no doubt that there’s plenty of craic in store. We can’t wait to meet this year’s incredible 32 Roses, and make our way to Tralee. Seo linn!” 

The Rose of Tralee will be available to watch for free, live and on-demand by audiences in Ireland and around the world on RTÉ Player. Features, archive footage, behind-the-scenes content and more will also be available across RTÉ.ie and RTÉ social media platforms over the coming weeks.

Anthony O’Gara, Executive Chairman of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Kathryn to the Rose Family. We’ve had many ‘firsts’ over the years, and joint presenters for Rose Selection will bring another level of excitement to the proceedings. 

Kathryn is in the very best of company with our esteemed colleague Daithí, who is a great ambassador for the Festival, and we look forward to seeing what they both have in store for this year’s show.” 

The Rose of Tralee International Festival returns for its 62nd festival from August 18th – 22nd.