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The Explainer: How has the Rose of Tralee festival survived for so long?

Joining us this week is our own Carl Kinsella, who was at the festival earlier this week, and the Irish Independent’s Kirsty Blake Knox. They explore the history of the festival and changes over the years, its relevance in today’s world, and look at what’s next for this year’s winner. Also – if they were a Rose, what would their talent be?

ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER Rose of Tralee is crowned.

This year’s winner of the festival was New York’s Róisín Wiley, who will hold the title for the next year.

The festival has decent viewing figures, receives across Irish media, and is a cash injection for the local community – but on paper, the competition can seem out of place in 2023 Ireland.

There is an enduring appeal to the Rose of Tralee, but why? How has it stayed relevant enough to remain a yearly fixture in Ireland?

Joining us on this week’s episode of The Explainer is our own reporter Carl Kinsella, who was at the festival earlier this week and is author of the Surrealing In The Years column, and Rose of Tralee veteran Kirsty Blake Knox, journalist and features writer with the Irish Independent.

They explore the history of the festival and how it has (or hasn’t) changed over the years, its relevance in today’s world, and look at what’s next for this year’s winner. Also – if they were a Rose, what would their talent be?

https://soundcloud.com/the-explainer-podcast/how-has-the-rose-of-tralee-festival-survived-for-so-long

This episode was put together by presenter Laura Byrne, senior producer Nicky Ryan, and executive producer Sinéad O’Carroll.

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    Mute Tommy Haze
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    Aug 24th 2023, 6:42 PM

    Because Irish women to their credit have never taken feminism seriously.

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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Aug 24th 2023, 6:52 PM

    @Tommy Haze: If Irish women hadn’t taken feminism seriously, their rights would still be lagging behind those of women in other European countries.

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    Mute Tommy Haze
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    Aug 24th 2023, 7:02 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien:
    Chill out Brendan….

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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Aug 24th 2023, 7:06 PM

    @Tommy Haze: I’m perfectly chilled. I also disagree with you (as always).

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    Mute John Jon
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    Aug 24th 2023, 7:31 PM

    @Tommy Haze: A foolish comment …

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    Mute REAL CHIEF POLICE TRUMP MAGA Account no 3
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    Aug 24th 2023, 5:47 PM

    Becase their cute kerry hooowwrrrss

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    Mute Trent
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    Aug 25th 2023, 4:04 PM

    @REAL CHIEF POLICE TRUMP MAGA Account no 3: Hahaha no 3 on a side note the russians can’t have any more pints of heineken

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Aug 24th 2023, 7:58 PM

    The Rose of Tralee was a reality TV before reality TV was invented. Normal people reflecting our own normalcy. I watch it every year. Used to be better in the days before they tried to glam it up.

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    Mute Keith P
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    Aug 25th 2023, 10:06 AM

    I sort of love it and hate it at the same time for different reasons. I’d be quite happy if my daughter wanted to get involved in it.

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    Mute JP
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    Aug 25th 2023, 8:34 PM

    It’s up to the potential contestants whether they wish to take part or not. Too many people want to change everything..somehow change has become synonymous with progress.. definitely not necessarily so.

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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Aug 24th 2023, 7:46 PM

    Hi, Journal.

    The US FAA has placed flight restrictions around Fulton County Jail from between 23:45 and 02:00 Irish time.
    (If you want someone to cover Trump’s arrest.)

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    Mute Jb Walshe
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    Aug 24th 2023, 7:57 PM

    @ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: maby his alien overlords are dropping him off there tonight !?

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    Mute Jon Smith
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    Aug 25th 2023, 5:07 PM

    The question is not How but Why (why why why)

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