RTÉ star Aoibhinn weighs in on Rose of Tralee bashing

RTÉ star Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin has weighed in to the Rose of Tralee debate to defend the festival from its annual bashing and insist she never felt demeaned by the contest.

Arguably the country’s most famous Rose, the Mayo presenter is well equipped to stand up for the Kerry contest, which helped to propel her into a household name.

The presenter defended the contest yesterday on Newstalk against withering criticism levelled by an Irish columnist in England called Katy Harrington who dubbed it “cattle mart with hairspray”.