The Rose Of Tralee is set to make a number of changes for 2022, including allowing both married women and trans women to compete in the competition for the first time.
In the past 62 years, since The Rose of Tralee first aired, they are now “welcome” to anyone who identifies as a woman and also married women.
On top of this, the age limit has also been extended by one year, from 28 to 29.
Speaking to The Kerryman, Executive chair Anthony O’Gara revealed: “In case there is any doubt we never said that transgender people could not take part.
“We weren’t clear enough about it before. Now we’re being proactive and stating clearly that the Rose of Tralee is open to all people who identify as women.”
Before adding: “This isn’t a change of policy, it’s clarifying our existing policy.”
Host Dáithí Ó Sé also spoke about the rules for 2022, sharing: “It’s great news and will be very welcome, I’d say. The Rose of Tralee is there for everyone and that’s the way it should be.”
There is also a change in the venue for the annual competition, with it being held at the Munster Technological University instead of the Dome marquee.
Speaking of this, Anthony O’Gara also shared the reason behind this change:
“The ‘Dome’ is great craic and it’s a tradition, but it is extremely expensive and every year it leaves us with a €100,000 hole in our finances. In simple terms, that doesn’t add up.”