No-one ever actually admits to watching it but it continues to attract the biggest television audience of the year. The annual Rose of Tralee pageant will be screened live from the Festival Dome in Tralee tonight with Host Daithi O'Se.
18 of the 32 contestants will face the cameras later tonight.
Over the next two nights Roses will sing songs to varying degrees of accomplishment, recite poems and regale the audience with tales of their Irish roots.
The programme will be broadcast live over two nights before the 2013 Rose is crowned tomorrow night.
For Kerry Rose Gemma Kavanagh, appearing at the Dome tonight is a dream come true. While South Australia Rose and Kerry native Louise Thompson is looking forward to support from home and abroad.
The Roses have been travelling the length and breadth of the country. Watch their journey below:
