WATCH: Rose of Tralee contestants set off from Limerick for Tralee

THE ROSE of Tralee official tour stopped by Limerick city ahead of the trip to Kerry where the live shows will take place. 

Limerick Rose Molli-Ann O'Halloran and New York Rose Róisín Wiley flew the Limerick flag at the George Hotel along with 30 other roses from around Ireland and the world. 

“Oh my goodness it's been unreal, I don't think we’ve really processed it. Every town that we've stopped in, the reception that we’ve gotten has been overwhelming, I think we are all very emotional about it because we didn’t process how big this would be. My nana was here, my aunts, it was great, it was amazing to see,” Róisín said, whose parents hail from Kilmallock and Templeglantine. 

Born and reared in Yonkers, with a year spent living in Patrickswell, the New York Rose was familiar with the Irish competition before entering. 

"It's been a bit surreal, it wasn't always part of the plan, I'd always known about the Rose of Tralee and always spoken about it in my family but I never actually thought that it would be something that I would go for or even wear the sash but in New York I saw the applications on social media and I said I'd give it a shot and the rest is history," she added. 

The official rose tour began last week with stop offs in Wexford, Longford, Offaly, Meath and Limerick before the roses and escorts arrive to the Kingdom for the live show. 

The Rose of Tralee International Festival takes place on Monday and Tuesday evening on RTÉ with hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas with Róisín adding: “I haven't thought about going on live television yet, we are just taking it day by day and there are moments where I get a bit nervous when I think about it but then we did meet Dáithí and Kathyrn, they’re great”.

19-year-old Molli Ann O’Halloran is the Limerick Rose and explained that: “It’s absolutely amazing, we’re having a blast on the tour”.

Everyday has been jam packed with activities as the Roses travel around the country getting to experience local culture, heritage and activities. 

“I think Emerald Park has been the biggest highlight, we went on the most unreal rollercoaster, it was so good,” Molli Ann said. 

The George Hotel was busy on Friday morning as suitcases were packed and taken to the bus in preparation for Tralee with the University of Limerick student explaining: “My suitcase is 20kg but it definitely weighs 50kg”.

Banners and flags greeted the singer as she pulled up outside the hotel on Thursday evening and family and friends welcomed her home: “I just really wasn’t expecting it, my sister text me and said it was just going to be her and my mam and I think when I seen my great nana, I just really wasn’t expecting her to come out so it was so unreal”.

Ahead of the live shows Molli Ann concluded: “I am so excited, a little bit nervous but really excited”.