Sir, – I’m unclear if the current expressed dissatisfaction regarding the Rose of Tralee is directed at the event itself or that the pageant makes for good TV. Regarding the TV aspect, I do dodge watching it, finding it cringey in parts. It offends me not a bit and I feel no compulsion to launch a crusade against it – pressing the off-switch beats indignant posturing. Luckily I can take my grandkids to wave at the actual Roses and enjoy all the smiling faces – harmless stuff, in my view. The same grandkids enjoy the associated carnival amusements, including the “bumpers”. Our neighbouring country refers to the latter as “dodgems”.
Ireland need not be an anodyne, tepid, conforming clone of what cultural arbiters deem acceptable.– Yours, etc,
GERRY CHRISTIE,
Tralee,
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Co Kerry.
