TV star Mary Kennedy has defended the Rose of Tralee after some people branded it as a beauty pageant or talent show.
The former Nationwide host is chairperson of the judging panel for the annual Kerry festival. The Dubliner defended the Rose of Tralee – saying it isn’t a beauty pageant or a talent show.
She said: “Well now, I was away for a couple of days with some friends from abroad, who wouldn’t have known about the Rose of Tralee and they said., ‘Is it a beauty pageant?’ To which I answered, ‘No it’s not!’.