Whip cracking, limbo dancing and aerial hooping are just some of the party pieces we can expect from tonight's Rose of Tralee hopefuls.

Now into its 58th year, 32 women from all over the world will compete for the title over the next two nights.

Daithi O'Shea will present the first of the lives shows tonight and as always the festival isn't far from criticism and controversy.

Last year Brianna Parkins caused controversy by using her time on stage to call for a referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment, but speaking from Australia she says she doesn't regret a thing.

She also says that slagging off the competition is anti-feminist. 

Being a feminist is allowing women to do what they want to do and to support their choices. Most of the Roses I know are staunch feminists. It's the responsibility of feminists to get involved because things don't change unless you change them yourself.

Kim Buckley has this report: