Rose of Tralee festival dismisses suggestions of sectarianism

The Rose of Tralee International Festival has dismissed suggestions it is sectarian after a Church of Ireland rector said his church has been overlooked to hold a service for the contestants during the annual event.

In a parish newsletter at the weekend, under the title: “The Rose of Tralee — a Roman Catholic Festival?”, Rev Robert Warren revealed that a rota system operates between churches in Tralee to hold the service for the Roses and their families. It was the Church of Ireland’s turn this year, according to Rev Warren.

However, he claimed, organisers decided to hold an outdoor Mass in Pearse Park, without consulting him or the clergy of various parishes. He had received a call from the festival office saying the rota system had been shelved.

Rev Warren said the fact that the Catholic church was again providing facilities for a Mass was not the point.

He said his displeasure was on two grounds: Firstly, the unilateral decision to change the rota system and, secondly that, by persisting in having a Catholic Mass as the main religious expression during the event, non-Catholics were excluded from full participation.

“They need to be aware that persisting with their current policy has implications for the festival, not least in anchoring it well and truly within the culture of the Roman Catholic Church,” said Rev Warren “If that is what they want, that is fine too, but let them come out and state that.”

Speaking on Radio Kerry, he said it seemed strange to exclude other denominations, given that the legend of the Rose of Tralee arose from a romance between a Protestant and a Catholic.

Festival executive chairman Anthony O’Gara said the event has always been proud of its non-political, non-sectarian status.

The issue had arisen because of “a breakdown in communication”, he said.

“An attempt was made to contact Rev Warren last month in relation to planning the religious aspect of the Roses’ schedule,” said Mr O’Gara.

“We received no reply at that stage, but when we succeeded in establishing contact with Rev Warren some weeks later, he was dissatisfied with not being involved in finalising the Roses’ schedule.

“We appreciate that he was genuinely upset that arrangements were on-going without his involvement. We regret that and understand the reason for his frustration. We look forward to resolving the matter in a calm and amiable fashion.”

Mr O’Gara also said they would be very happy to bring the Roses to St John’s Church of Ireland in Tralee, on Sunday, Aug 19.

However, Rev Warren said he could not arrange the kind of service he would wish to hold in the time space of just a few weeks.