Rose of Tralee in tweets: ‘We’ve reached peak Ireland people’

Dara O Briain: ‘Overdose of Irishness. Why don’t they show the Toy Show this week as well?’

Show-stealer: Carlow Rose Shauna Ray Lacey with her mother, Angela Ray. Photograph: Domnick Walsh
Show-stealer: Carlow Rose Shauna Ray Lacey with her mother, Angela Ray. Photograph: Domnick Walsh

The first live final of the Rose of Tralee 2018 took place last night with the expected talents of singing and dancing and the unexpected sights of fireman-lifting, puppet-making, cow-milking and Pope Daithí. These are 10 of the best tweets about last night’s show.

The show was stolen by the Carlow Rose, Shauna Ray Lacey. As well as being the first mother to reach the live final, Lacey spoke openly about her parents’ heroin addiction.

The Waterford Rose, Kirsten Mate Maher, was the first contestant of African-Irish descent; she impressed the audience with her rendition of Feeling Good.

Glen Murphy

Glen Murphy

Glen Murphy is an Irish Times journalist