TV star Mary Kennedy has defended the Rose of Tralee after some people branded it as a beauty pageant or talent show.
The former Nationwide host is chairperson of the judging panel for the annual Kerry festival. The Dubliner defended the Rose of Tralee – saying it isn’t a beauty pageant or a talent show.
She said: “Well now, I was away for a couple of days with some friends from abroad, who wouldn’t have known about the Rose of Tralee and they said., ‘Is it a beauty pageant?’ To which I answered, ‘No it’s not!’.
“And I can hand on my heart say after being chairperson of the judging panel for more years than I care to remember, that it’s so not that.
“It’s about a well-rounded good Irish woman. But it is definitely not a beauty pageant, or a talent show for that matter.
“Obviously some of the participants do something on the stage that’s chosen by the producers for entertainment value, but they are not marked on that.
“And actually, so many who have been chosen as the International Rose of Tralee have not actually performed anything,” she told TV Now magazine.
She added that the festival is a great boost to the local Kerry economy.
She said she invites critics who lash out at the show every year to come down and see for themselves what it is all about.
“Come down and experience it first hand. And then you will change your mind. There’s nothing not to like and as I said, the viewing figures speak for themselves,” she added.
Mary also said the festival was “in tune with the time” by allowing married women and anyone who identifies as female to enter the competition.
“You know what I think is nice about it, is that the Rose is open to what’s out there.
“And people who can denigrate it for being too traditional but it’s not.
“Things evolve, the Rose festival committee responds and has no problem with it.
“I also have to say from working with the people at the festival, they are the most non-judgemental, most welcoming and inclusive people you’ll meet in a day’s walking. And I know people say it’s not keeping in tune with the time, but it is, it really is.”
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