Rising country music star David James McNamee is thrilled to have been asked to perform the iconic ballad, The Rose of Tralee, at the finale of the famous Kerry festival of the same name next Tuesday evening.

After the 66th Rose of Tralee has been named in the Kerry Sports Academy, the 28-year-old Killea singer and radio presenter will have the honour of performing the timeless song as the festival draws to a close.

“Once they announce the winner I'll be coming out to sing The Rose of Tralee.

“I'm delighted to have been asked. Like every Irish household we grew up watching it, watching Dáithí Ó Sé and Ryan Tubridy before him present it. It's just lovely to get the call and we are really looking forward to it,” he told the ‘Journal’ ahead of the festivities.

David, who is from Lower Kildrum in the border village, has been building steady momentum within the country Irish scene since launching his own band in February 2025. They have been on the road constantly since.

Earlier this year they played their first show in the Millennium Forum and have another gig lined up in Derry next May 28.

The former St. Columb’s College pupil, whose father Martin and grandparents Chrissie and Jim McNamee hailed from Creggan, said he was absolutely chuffed when the organisers rang his manager asking him to take part.

“It is an international festival really with Roses from all across the world and it's an honour to be asked down there to be honest.

“That song is one of the most iconic Irish songs of all time by virtue of its association with the festival.

"So many great singers have been on there singing it through the years, people I've really admired. I never thought I'd get the opportunity to come onto the show and sing it myself. I just hope that on the night I do the song justice,” he said.

Another participant in the 66th Rose of Tralee International Festival with strong North West connections is Master of Ceremonies Carl Mullan, whose father Don, the author of 'Eyewitness Bloody Sunday’, is originally from Creggan.