Scenes from Saturday night’s ‘Roses in the Moonlight’ parade as part of the 2025 Rose of Tralee festival. Photos by Domnick Walsh.
Tralee Chamber Alliance CEO Colette O’Connor has said the Rose of Tralee weekend has been nothing short of incredible for the town with reports of a vibrant economic boost for local businesses.
Speaking as the festival draws to a close later this evening, Ms O’Connor said Féile Thrá Lí and the Rose of Tralee brought the town to life with streets full of families and music echoing through every corner.
“There was a real sense of pride and community in the air. The atmosphere was electric from start to finish. Tralee has shown once again that when we come together as a community, we can deliver something truly special,” Ms O’Connor told The Kerryman.
She explained that local businesses across the board, from hotels and pubs, to cafés, retailers and market traders, have reported a fantastic few days, with ‘footfall and spend well above average’. Many hotels were at full capacity, and the feedback from visitors has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’re particularly proud of how the town came together to deliver a safe, welcoming, and memorable experience for everyone. The blend of traditional Rose celebrations and the wider Féile Thrá Lí programme really hit the mark – offering something for all ages and interests,” she said.
“There’s no doubt that the economic impact of the weekend has been hugely positive, and it’s also given a brilliant platform for Tralee to shine on a national and international stage. We want to thank everyone involved: organisers, volunteers, performers, businesses, and the public, for making it such a resounding success,” Ms O’Connor said.