Earlier today one of the 2016 Rose of Tralee finalists spoke out about the ‘mistreatment’ she and some of the Roses received during the festival.
She wrote a lengthy comment on the main Facebook page of the festival where she said they were, “manipulated for entertainment purposes” and “treated like animals in the circus”.
She also added that “cameras intrusively followed them all week and asked inappropriate probing questions” and that they were “bullied and mistreated”.
The post has since been removed but you can read it here.
The Rose of Tralee Festival organisers have since responded directly to us with the following statement:
“The Road to The Dome was a new addition to the Rose of Tralee’s television coverage this year. It was commissioned by RTE and produced in co-operation and agreement with the Rose of Tralee committee.
The 65 Roses were aware from the outset that they were being filmed at all stages in the run up to the live television shows. This also included the selection process where the 65 became 32 for the live televised programmes.
In advance of the show going out on Monday evening the festival were given the opportunity to to view the programme and were happy with it.
We regret that the Down Rose Fainche McCormack was upset at elements of the filming process for the documentary and RTE and the Rose of Tralee Festival have agreed to review the process for next year.”
