The words of the song are credited to C. (or E.) Mordaunt Spencer and the music to Charles William Glover, but a story circulated in connection with the festival claims that the song was written by William Pembroke Mulchinock, a wealthy Protestant, out of love for Mary O'Connor, a poor Catholic maid in service to his parents.

[1] The festival has its origins in the local Carnival Queen, once an annual town event, fallen by the wayside due to post-war emigration.

Led by Dan Nolan, then Managing Director of The Kerryman newspaper, they hit on the idea of the Rose of Tralee Festival.

In the inaugural Regional Final, fourteen women competed for three places in the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August.

[6] In July 2023, it was announced that Kathryn Thomas would join Dáithí Ó Sé as a co-host, marking the first time that the event would have two presenters.

The festival bills itself as a celebration of the "aspirations, ambitions, intellect, social responsibility and Irish heritage" of modern young women.

Other previous presenters include Terry Wogan, Brendan O'Reilly, Michael Twomey, Kathleen Watkins, Ray D'Arcy, Ryan Tubridy, Marty Morrissey and Derek Davis.

The festival overcame financial difficulties in 2004, and has strengthened with growing visitor numbers and maintaining strong viewer figures.

[11][12][13] Michele McCormack (1985 Chicago Rose) has gone on to win an Edward R. Murrow Award in her chosen profession of broadcast journalism.

[15] [16] Channel Four Television, Rose of Tralee, featuring Gay Byrne, narrator Henry Kelly, directed by Will Scally, correction to previous notification.