Rose of Tralee contestant is a huge hit for a very important reason

It's that time of year again.

Every year, people give out about The Rose of Tralee and yet every year, it's always a much-talked (and tweeted) about programme. As kids, it signalled the start of the last week before heading back to school and even as adults, it's a sure sign that summer is almost over. Last year's opening night was a huge talking point, the stage was stormed by a Fathers4Justice protestor and this year, there's one contestant who has already made an impact with people watching at home. During her chat with presenter Dáithí Ó Sé, the Fermanagh Rose, Stephanie Maguire, used this time to discuss domestic violence in Ireland and highlight the hugely important work done by Women's Aid.

Fermanagh Rose Stephanie Maguire #RoseOfTralee https://t.co/w8jWK3pyiE pic.twitter.com/bAHrS9RJUC

— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 21, 2017

Unsurprisingly, this was appreciated by people watching at home with many social media users taking to Twitter to praise Stephanie for bringing up an issue that many people in Ireland can empathise with.

Fermanagh rose supporting Women's Aid, great to see her use the profile of #roseoftralee to raise awareness. ?☘️

— Victoria Johnston (@vjohnston98) August 21, 2017

Loving the Fermanagh rose on #Roseoftralee talking about the problem of domestic violence in Ireland #gogirl

— Aoife (@adeery509) August 21, 2017

Fair play to the Fermanagh Rose for putting a spotlight on domestic violence and Women's Aid #RoseofTralee

— Lana Del Kate (@kayayeteeie) August 21, 2017

Hands down winner. Legend. #fermanaghrose ahead by a mile this year. @Womens_Aid

— ClaireBlennerhassett (@Claireissimo) August 21, 2017

Second Rose in - Fermanagh - is talking about domestic abuse awareness. Fair play #Roseoftralee

— Tony Clayton-Lea (@TonyClaytonLea) August 21, 2017

Stephanie was also surprised on stage by Derek Ryan, a country and western singer whom she's a massive fan of and viewers loved it.

What a surprise for Fermanagh Rose Stephanie as she gets to jive with her idol @derekryanmusic pic.twitter.com/1HHV2l6k2Y

— RTE One (@RTEOne) August 21, 2017

What a surprise for the @fermanaghrose getting to jive with @derekryanmusic I'm sure she's buzzing #roseoftralee #rte1

— Amy O'Neill (@Amylou00000) August 21, 2017

@RoseofTralee_ loved when @derekryanmusic came out for the Fermanagh rose ? so cute

— Stacey Brady ?? (@stacbrady_x) August 21, 2017

Although it's only night one, it seems that Stephanie is emerging as an early favourite.

Surely the Fermanagh rose has it in the bag already?????? #roseoftralee

— Leslie Prendergast (@Tweets_Leslie) August 21, 2017

Main image via Twitter: Rose of Tralee