It's that time of year again.
Every year, people give out about The Rose of Tralee and yet every year, it's always a much-talked (and tweeted) about programme.
As kids, it signalled the start of the last week before heading back to school and even as adults, it's a sure sign that summer is almost over.
Last year's
opening night was a huge talking point, the stage was stormed by a Fathers4Justice protestor and this year, there's one contestant who has already made an impact with people watching at home.
During her chat with presenterDáithí Ó Sé, the Fermanagh Rose, Stephanie Maguire, used this time to discuss domestic violence in Ireland and highlight the hugely important work done by Women's Aid.
https://twitter.com/RoseofTralee_/status/899712378501312512
Unsurprisingly, this was appreciated by people watching at home with many social media users taking to Twitter to praise Stephanie for bringing up an issue that many people in Ireland can empathise with.
https://twitter.com/vjohnston98/status/899712415813832710
https://twitter.com/adeery509/status/899712336239505409
https://twitter.com/kayayeteeie/status/899711748479082498
https://twitter.com/Claireissimo/status/899720899783524353
https://twitter.com/TonyClaytonLea/status/899712071646027776
Stephanie was also surprised on stage by Derek Ryan, a country and western singer whom she's a massive fan of and viewers loved it.
https://twitter.com/RTEOne/status/899715807692808193
https://twitter.com/Amylou00000/status/899718624079949825
https://twitter.com/stacbrady_x/status/899716136555687936
Although it's only night one, it seems that Stephanie is emerging as an early favourite.
https://twitter.com/Tweets_Leslie/status/899716484422881280
Main image via Twitter: Rose of Tralee
