The Rose of Tralee, Kerry’s great August festival
For around five days each August, Tralee hosts one of Ireland’s most famous festivals, running since 1959. These are the closest B&Bs in the directory, each one bookable direct with the owner.
A festival Ireland watches from its living room
The Rose of Tralee International Festival has run since 1959, when it was founded on a budget of 750 pounds, and it has grown into one of the most famous events in the country. Roses representing Irish communities around the world come to Tralee each August for around five days of festival, with the dates shifting slightly each year.
The televised selection of the Rose has been broadcast live since 1967 and remains one of Irish television’s fixtures, staged in the Festival Dome in the town. Around it, Tralee runs Rose parades with floats and days of free street entertainment, which is what makes the week worth attending rather than just watching.
Festival week on the streets of Tralee
The Rose parades are the crowd-pullers, processions of floats and marching bands through the town centre, and the free outdoor programme runs through the week with live music and family entertainment in the streets and the town park. The selection nights themselves fill the Dome, with the crowning broadcast live across the country.
More than sixty Rose Centres worldwide send Roses to Tralee, which gives the week its particular character: half county festival, half global family reunion, with accents from five continents at every breakfast table in town.
Tralee in August, and using the week well
Festival week is peak Tralee, and the town’s everyday advantages still apply: the Dingle Peninsula begins at its edge, Killarney is about 35 minutes away, and Banna Strand and the north Kerry beaches are a short drive. A morning on Slea Head and an evening at the parade is a perfectly workable festival day.
Beds in the town go early for the festival, but Tralee’s size works in a visitor’s favour, since it holds more accommodation than any other town in Kerry. Booking direct with an owner, early, is still the play.
B&Bs and guesthouses near the Rose of Tralee
The closest listings in the directory to the festival, distances shown on each. August is Kerry’s peak, so contact owners early and book direct.
Frequently asked
The Rose of Tralee Festival, common questions
How long has the Rose of Tralee been running?
Since 1959, when it was founded on a budget of 750 pounds. The televised Rose selection has been broadcast live since 1967.
Is the Rose of Tralee just the television selection?
No, around the selection nights the festival runs a full week of Rose parades, floats, marching bands and free street entertainment across the town.
Where do the Roses come from?
More than sixty Rose Centres worldwide send Roses to Tralee, giving the week a genuine international character alongside the Kerry crowds.
Is it hard to find a bed in Tralee during festival week?
Beds go early, but Tralee holds more accommodation than any other town in Kerry, so booking direct with an owner early is still the practical play.
Going this year?
Book a bed near the Rose festival direct
The Rose of Tralee fills Kerry’s county town every August. A B&B booked direct puts a real host and a real breakfast at the heart of festival week.