The Rose of Tralee: Bagpipes, Cringe & Continued Charm

The Rose of Tralee, a contest famously mocked by Father Ted as the "Lovely Girls Competition", is back for its 63rd year. While empires rise and fall and trends come and go, the annual event on RTÉ One (Monday, 8pm) shows no signs of fading. In fact, the 2024 edition kicks off with renewed vigour, with Kathryn Thomas returning for her second year as co-host alongside Dáithí Ó Sé.

From the get-go, the show dives into the heart of the action. The Dubai Rose, Ciara O’Sullivan, a teacher and GAA player, proudly shares a photo of herself in football kit, jumping in the desert, and even treats viewers to a tune on the harp. The Waterford Rose, Abby Walsh, a newly qualified community pharmacist, speaks candidly about the joys and challenges of pursuing her studies through Irish, from primary school to university. Next up is the North Carolina Rose, Kathryn Wright, who reveals her admiration for Dolly Parton before inviting Kathryn Thomas to participate in a card trick, leaving Thomas to wonder how Ó Sé managed to escape the spotlight and enjoy the sidelines.

These talents – the harp, card tricks, and even the bagpipes played by the San Francisco Rose, Maggie Baglin – are part of a recent tradition, demonstrating that the Rose of Tralee is not merely a beauty pageant. To dismiss it as outdated would be unfair to the contestants who have travelled from across the globe to honour their Irish heritage in Tralee.

While the 2024 event initially lacks a certain sparkle, it offers a unique viewing experience unlike anything else on television. There are occasional moments of awkwardness, like the attempt by Thomas and Ó Sé to lead a singalong of The Proclaimers' "I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)" with the San Francisco Rose providing the bagpipe accompaniment.

However, such cringe-worthy moments are few and far between. The majority of the show is filled with enthusiastic applause from the audience, Ó Sé's trademark winks at the camera, and a flurry of social media reactions, mostly referencing the beloved sitcom Father Ted or joking about the sheer volume of Father Ted references.

Ultimately, the Rose of Tralee, whether seen as quaint or embarrassing, old-fashioned or progressive, remains a fixture on the Irish cultural landscape. It's a reminder that some things, for better or worse, are here to stay.