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.
Fermanagh Rose Stephanie Maguire #RoseOfTralee https://t.co/w8jWK3pyiE pic.twitter.com/bAHrS9RJUC
— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 21, 2017
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
Loving the Fermanagh rose on #Roseoftralee talking about the problem of domestic violence in Ireland #gogirl
— Aoife Deery (@aoifedeery509) August 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/kayayeteeie/status/899711748479082498
Hands down winner. Legend. #fermanaghrose ahead by a mile this year. @Womens_Aid
— @claireissimo.bsky.social Iníon BouliSneachta (@Claireissimo) August 21, 2017
Second Rose in – Fermanagh – is talking about domestic abuse awareness. Fair play #Roseoftralee
— Tony Clayton-Lea (@TonyClaytonLea) August 21, 2017
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.
What a surprise for Fermanagh Rose Stephanie as she gets to jive with her idol @derekryanmusic pic.twitter.com/1HHV2l6k2Y
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) August 21, 2017
What a surprise for the @fermanaghrose getting to jive with @derekryanmusic I'm sure she's buzzing #roseoftralee #rte1
— Amy O'Neill (@amyoneill90) August 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/stacbrady_x/status/899716136555687936
Although it’s only night one, it seems that Stephanie is emerging as an early favourite.
Surely the Fermanagh rose has it in the bag already???🤔🤔🤔 #roseoftralee
— Leslie Prendergast (@Tweets_Leslie) August 21, 2017
Main image via Twitter: Rose of Tralee
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