The judges for 2025 are 2010 International Rose of Tralee Clare Kambamettu, Aisling Murphy from Murphy’s New Homes, fashion designer Don O’Neill and RTÉ Weather and National Lottery presenter Nuala Carey
Every year 32 Roses take to the stage for the Rose of Tralee live shows as they chat to presenters Dáithí O’Sé and Kathryn Thomas in front of the nation on RTÉ.
But the most important task takes place behind the scenes as the judges decide who wins the competition.
This year, 2010 International Rose of Tralee and principal clinical psychologist Clare Kambamettu, Aisling Murphy from Murphy’s New Homes, fashion designer Don O’Neill and RTÉ Weather and National Lottery presenter Nuala Carey will pick the winner.
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The judges meet the Roses over the course of the festival in formal and informal settings, including panel interviews and the observing the live TV show. People at home don’t see most of the judging that takes place away from the cameras, and the judging panel spend five days around the contestants.
Nuala Carey previously revealed what the judges look for when picking the winner of the Rose of Tralee and she said that the judges spent a lot more time with the Roses than viewers see on screen.
She told RSVP Live: “I like a person who is humble and easy to be around. Somebody who makes other people feel comfortable and is easy company.
“If I met them in a supermarket or a black tie event, that they are the same. They need to be true to themselves, friendly and warm-hearted. I like people who are full of chat.”
She added: “I hope the Rose emerges and blossoms before our eyes. Everyone has an opinion and I hope that we all think the same and there is a consensus.”
Nuala first became a Rose of Tralee judge two years ago, so she knows what is ahead of her before arriving in Kerry.
She said: “I know what to expect, but at the same time we have a different bunch of Roses. You are starting from scratch. I absolutely loved it last year, I was so upset when it was all over. I always hoped I would be asked back and I am so excited.”
RTÉ viewers only see the Roses being interviewed for a small amount of time on TV, but the judges spend a lot of time observing them and interviewing them over a few days.
Nuala said: “It is hard to define because it is a combination of things. We get to spend a lot of time with the Roses.
“People get to see it on TV on a Monday or Tuesday night, but we started to meet them from last Friday. You get a great sense of a person after a few days together.
“When you spend time with them all you realise the one who is right for the role, and the role is right for them.”
Broadcaster Mary Kennedy was a judge for many years and she also previously revealed what the judges look for when selecting the winner.
She told RSVP Live: “We are looking for a young woman who is a good representative of the ethos of the festival, they have a good sense of community and a good sense of friendship and family.
“They also have to have a sense of fun because there is a lot of fun at the Rose of Tralee festival.
“We are looking for someone who can hold their own in a setting with small children in a kindergarten, with older people in nursing homes and with heads of state.
“When they are in that setting, their goal is to make the person with whom they are communicating feel at ease and comfortable. It is about outgoing, warm, charismatic and an all rounder.”
Fairness and making sure everyone is at ease are also very important when it comes to meeting all of the Rose of Tralee contestants.
Mary said: “When I get to Tralee I have a little gathering with the other judges and I tell them what we are looking for. The first thing we want to do is get the best from everybody so they can present their best self to us.
“We make them very relaxed and totally at ease. We are totally egalitarian and totally equal with every person.
“The Rose committee is very strict on time and each Rose has just 15 minutes with the judges. We have a little chat after each young woman leaves the room.”
