Kathryn Thomas: Rose of Tralee criticism boring and lazy

Rose of Tralee co-host Kathryn Thomas has hit back at critics who dismiss the festival as outdated, branding such comments as "boring" and "lazy".

Speaking at the festival's launch, Thomas, who is gearing up to present the RTÉ One show for a fourth year alongside veteran Dáithí Ó Sé, said she believes the women taking part are best placed to judge whether the event remains relevant.

"If you watch this show, you can't keep banging on about it when you see these women and what they represent," she said.

When she first hosted the programme, Thomas said she wanted to put the criticism directly to the contestants.

"The first year I hosted it, I wanted to ask that question to the Roses on stage: 'People say it's the lovely girls competition, what do you say?'"

She said the answers she received gave her a different perspective on why women continue to take part.

"The answers I got were, ‘Why wouldn't I want a network of women all over the world that are really well connected that might be able to open doors for me and help my career?’"

"Why wouldn't I want to travel for free for a year? Why wouldn't I want to do it with a gang of women who are great craic?"

"That doesn't sound old fashioned to me."

Thomas also pointed to the atmosphere surrounding the event, particularly during Rose week in Tralee.

"Dáithí takes the mick out of me, there's a bit of craic on stage, Tralee is mental for the week and these women have the time of their lives representing themselves brilliantly."

"I think it's going to be a very fun show."

Thomas has served as co-host since 2023, but despite her experience presenting the programme, she said she still has "no idea" what it takes to become the winning Rose.

"I never know. I would hate to be a judge," she admitted.

The presenter also clarified that she has no role in deciding the result, despite some viewers wondering whether she has any influence over who takes the title.

"People wonder if I've anything to do with it, but no, I don't."

Instead, Thomas sees her role as helping each contestant tell her own story.

"I think what these women are doing is storytelling and that's what we are there to facilitate."

She said she would not want to be placed in the position of deciding which contestant should take the title.

"I don't know what makes a winner and should never be put in that position because I love them all."

The Rose of Tralee airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Monday 17 August and Tuesday 18 August from 8pm.

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