Dáithí Ó Sé has opened up about The Rose of Tralee and how it is always willing to move with the times.
With inclusivity in mind, host Dáithí says that a lot of changes have been made to the competition’s format and entry requirements over the years to accommodate for more people.
“There was a time where you couldn’t be married, there was a time when you couldn’t have a child and there was a time where the age limit was lower. I think it was 25 and then went to 28 and now it is 29.”
The 46-year-old says that this change is key to the competition’s continuation. Without change, Dáithí says that tradition would simply die out.
“If the Rose of Tralee wants to stay alive it has to change. To be fair, they have changed all along”
“And you are sending a message out into society to say that the Rose of Tralee is there for everyone, and why shouldn’t it be there for everyone.”
Dáithí also said that the competition would be open for trans women to take part, something he would embrace with open arms.
“It is about people. Whether you are male, female or trans, we are all human beings”
“I want to talk to people on stage. People have their own story to tell. Can you imagine the story they would have to tell on stage. Very interesting. And it is about people and their stories and making that connection with people at home”
“Unfortunately, we don’t have any trans rose, I was really looking forward to having that chat on stage,” he continued.
“But I think there was a very positive message sent out this year, so hopefully next year.”
You can meet the 33 roses here.
The Rose of Tralee will kick off at 8pm on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd of August on RTÉ One with a break for the Nine News.