The Rose of Tralee continues to bloom as over half a million viewers watch Westmeath Rose Caoilfhinn N Choiligh crowned 2026 International Rose of Tralee

The Rose of Tralee continues to bloom with more than half a million viewers watching on Tuesday night to see Westmeath Rose Caoilfhinn N Choiligh crowned the 66th International Rose of Tralee.

Presented by D ith O'S and Kathryn Thomas, Tuesday night's show had an average audience* of 522,000 who watched after the news on RT One, with a 59.3% share of the available audience and peaked** at 593,000 at 11.27pm as D ith and Kathryn revealed the winner. The show also had a 1-minute reach*** of over 1.3 million on RT One and RT One +1 across both nights. The Rose of Tralee also saw an increase in viewers aged 18-44 across both nights of broadcast on RT .

Over on RT Player, viewers tuned in in their droves with a record high of 243,000 total streams to date, up 20% year on year. Viewers watched from right across the world, including views from United Kingdom, USA, Spain, Canada and Australia.

On social media, @rteone Rose of Tralee content had over 13 million views on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X, and over 1.1 million engagements across both nights.

Over the two nights, viewers were treated to memorable moments that included everything from Leitrim lilting, baton twirling, how to prepare a Derry chicken box, amazing singing, a Mayo jersey and the Sam Maguire cup and a record-breaking outfit change from a ball gown into an Irish dancing dress! The 32 Roses also shared their experiences of grappling with grief, navigating health issues and the winning Rose Caoilfhinn spoke candidly about what it's like living with alopecia and modelled some her favourite wigs on stage.

Group Head of Entertainment and Music for RT , Alan Tyler said: With an array of exceptional, funny, heartbreaking, and, sometimes, prejudice-smashing' stories, The Rose of Tralee continues to confound expectations, bringing together young and old audiences for a unique cultural celebration.

-ENDS-

For Further information please contact:

Mikie O'Loughlin, RT Communications Lead | mikie.oloughlin@rte.ie

For interview requests with the 2026 International Rose of Tralee, please contact the festival's Media Team: communications@roseoftralee.ie

Notes to Editors:

Photo credit: Domnick Walsh Photography: info@dwalshphoto.ie

Source for television figures: TAM Ireland Ltd/ Nielsen TAM, Live + VOSDAL data, National Individuals

Source for RT Player figures: comScore DAx Analytics

*Average audience The average number of viewers across a programme or series, expressed in 000s. TV viewing is measured minute-by-minute, so the average audience is the average across all of these minutes.

**Peak-minute audience of viewers. The peak minute was at 11.27pm on Tuesday 18 August

***Reach - the net number or percentage of people who have seen a particular piece of broadcast output. The TAM Ireland definition is 1+ minute.

LINK:	https://about.rte.ie/2026/08/19/the-rose-of-tralee-continues-to-bloom-...
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