Rose of Tralee – Celebrating community

The Rose of Tralee pageant has become something of an Irish institution. Tonight the 50th Rose of Tralee will be chosen in a pageant whose popularity has sometimes baffled and often defied explanation in the media.

There are perennial charges that the pageant is sexist and embarrassing, of that it celebrates mediocrity, but the programme retains international appeal.

Gay Byrne, who was largely responsible for the early popularity of the programme, always maintained that its appeal was because the contestants could be anybody’s daughter, sister or niece. They are all young women who may have enormous potential, but few could yet be classified as real achievers.

International scope helps to explain its fascination abroad, where it received enormous coverage in the ethnic Irish newspapers. Many of the contestants are the children, or grandchildren, of Irish emigrants. They include Americans, Australians, British, and New Zealanders. But all have a sense of attachment to this country.

The Rose of Tralee celebrates that broader sense of community. The Irish diaspora is one of this country’s real assets, and it is something that we should cherish and nurture.