Presenter Dáithí Ó Sé's dream debut went well, with a little help from a yellow balloon, writes RÓISÍN INGLE
THAT TWINKLE in Dáithí Ó Sé’s eye last night wasn’t just delight that his dream gig was going about as well as he could have hoped, given that at one point he had to be lectured on how to make a sword out of a bright yellow balloon by a woman in a red ball gown. I know, I know. Where would you get it? Only at the Rose of Tralee.
Yesterday the Rose presenter aka the most eligible bachelor in Ireland revealed he had bagged himself a Rose of his own in girlfriend 2008 New Jersey Rose Rita Talty. He met her while judging the contest two years ago but only starting dating her earlier this summer, a romantic move which appeared to put an extra spring in his already Tigger-like step as he made his presenting debut.
And lookit, he made a grand enough fist of it so he did. Flirting for Ireland, breaking out into song every five minutes, only fluffing the auto cue the very odd time. Even if you hated all his “mighty” and “lovely sshtuff” catchphrases. Even if he looked a little bit too delighted with himself betimes. Even if he shoehorned sly references to his ads for hake in his presentation.
Still. Hats off to the fella from West of Dingle, the first Kerryman to present the Rose, the man who lists TG4 weather man, butcher, teacher and circus ring master on his CV. Renaissance Buachaill – Dáithi Ó Sé.
His preparation for the big gig apparently included a strict fitness regime. He gave up drinking. Took up jogging. Went for elocution lessons. (Possibly).
All to cope with the ordeal of chatting up 32 lovely girls from all over the world across two gruelling nights. It’s a tough job.
So, in case you missed it here’s a handy guide to the kind of stuff that was said to Dáithí in a Dome full of almost 2,000 banner-waving supporters by the 16 Roses from Dublin to Queensland by way of Southern California in last night’s show: “It was the best week of my life. The parade was fantastic. Here’s a poem I wrote that namechecks the Healy Raes. Best week ever. The reception in Tralee has been overwhelming.The girls are fantastic. I’ve got friends for life. Here’s a poem I wrote about emigration and economic deprivation and famine. Look at my yellow balloon sword.”
The festival isn’t just happening in the Dome though. In Tralee earlier in the day, the town was packed with people browsing stalls selling everything from Italian cookware to posters that read “I Still Hate Margaret Thatcher”.
At Ladbrokes bookies, betting on the contest was not as brisk as last year according to staff member Rachel Delaney, who said the festival wasn’t what it used to be. “It’s definitely quieter in the town. When we were small festivals were the highlight of our year, now children don’t seem to care as much, maybe it’s old hat or maybe it’s that our sense of community is different,” she said.
She added that the London Rose Clare Kambamettu had emerged as the 4 to 1 favourite followed closely by the Kerry Rose Veronica Hunt, and the Dubai Rose Elaine Rael who all appear at the Dome tonight for Round Two. “Apparently Dubai is lovely,” said Rachel. “People have come in and said when you see her you just want to go up and give her a big hug”.
And that’s the Rose of Tralee. A festival that sometimes makes you want to go up and give it a big hug. Like when the gorgeous Carlow Rose Jessica Adamson came on last night and lit up the stage with her big smile and winning personality. It’s also a festival that sometimes – hello, poems about famine and fleeing economic deprivation – deserves a gentle clip about the ear.