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One of the Roses has accused the festival of 'manipulating and bullying' contestants

Fainche McCormack is unhappy with the filming process for the documentary Road to the Dome.

THE DOWN ROSE has accused the Rose of Tralee Festival of “manipulating and bullying” the participants for the purpose of a fly-on-the-wall documentary.

14100357_1297122503632403_1594472113891386971_n Facebook / Rose of Tralee International Festival Facebook / Rose of Tralee International Festival / Rose of Tralee International Festival

Fainche McCormack has spoken out about the filming of Road to the Dome, which was aired prior to the contest on Monday evening.

The Roses were filmed at all stages in the run up to the finals, including the selection process where the 65 Roses were whittled down to 32 for the live shows.

In a post on the official Rose of Tralee Facebook page, McCormack said her emotions had been “manipulated” for the purpose of the programme:

I and my fellow Rose sisters did not sign up for a cheap reality television show in which our emotions would be manipulated for entertainment purposes…Cameras intrusively followed us all week and asked inappropriate probing questions; asking one girl what colour underwear she was wearing right before she went on stage, what’s acceptable about that?

13256029_524103167791403_1103834479733624364_n Facebook / Down Rose Centre Facebook / Down Rose Centre / Down Rose Centre

“I could go on for days about the many ways we were manipulated, bullied and mistreated,” she continued.

It’s just a shame that television viewing numbers become more important than the truly amazing girls that got hurt and that now have to deal with the emotional trauma of the whole, quite frankly disgusting and cruel, ordeal.

fainchemccormack Facebook / Rose of Tralee International Festival Facebook / Rose of Tralee International Festival / Rose of Tralee International Festival

In a joint statement, RTÉ and the Rose of Tralee Festival said all 65 Roses were aware of the filming from the outset, and the festival was happy with the finished programme.

However, they have agreed to review the filming process ahead of next year’s contest:

We regret that the Down Rose, Fainche McCormack, was upset at elements of the filming process for the documentary and RTÉ and the Rose of Tralee Festival have agreed to review the process for next year.

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Written by Valerie Loftus and posted on DailyEdge.ie

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80 Comments
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:30 PM

    People calling her “bitter” and a “sore loser”, maybe she’s right and is bravely speaking her mind? Be interesting to see if any of the other Roses back her up.

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:51 PM

    Uppity young wans getting a holiday to Ireland, some nice jewellry and a hairdo and they have the absolute GALL to complain that they’re being treated like shop dummies? Next year they’ll have to do some serious work on the prelims. Only bland Rosebots with no opinions will permitted into the finals. The Lovely Girls competition cannot be permitted to come into the 21st century.

    102
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:05 PM

    I hear ya Daisy. I don’t watch it, but the show has huge potential, although they have to ensure it doesn’t turn into a complete cringe fest. Articulate, passionate and educated young women should be encouraged to showcase their talents, not asked what colour underwear they’re wearing before they go on stage.

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:25 PM

    Just googled Fainche, it’s a rarely used Irish girl’s name that means “independent”.

    99
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Aug 26th 2016, 11:54 PM

    Roses in our garden, and no horse has ever shat on them.

    35
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    Mute Aimoo
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    Aug 27th 2016, 3:03 AM

    Daisys going by your logic the child that gets lured by a perv should shut up because he was wines and dined given sweets and all. Please shut up.

    25
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    Mute Patrick Gough
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    Aug 27th 2016, 7:25 AM

    imagine calling a girl after a newspaper jamie

    9
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    Mute John Moylan
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    Aug 27th 2016, 6:21 PM

    ..whaddya mean stop it turning into a cringe-fest. …it passed that barrier a long long time ago. … around show #2 I’d say….

    2
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    Mute John Hayes
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    Aug 26th 2016, 7:58 PM

    That’s OK as long as ye don’t mention abortion. Yes the Roses have their own minds the festival committee just want to control them.

    137
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    Mute Joey_Westland
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:11 PM

    Big Brother meets Lovely Girls.

    96
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    Mute Eugene Walsh
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:58 PM

    But did we ever get to find out what colour knickers she was wearing

    62
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    Mute James Kelly
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    Aug 26th 2016, 7:54 PM

    Sour grapes. The rules stated that not all roses would be chosen for the live show. Get over yourself. You had a week in Tralee that you wouldn’t have got in other years.

    82
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    Mute luke sarpish
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    Aug 26th 2016, 7:58 PM

    I worked in Tralee for a week and it seemed like years.

    189
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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:04 PM

    Very sharpish Luke Sharpish. Lol

    31
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    Mute TheLoneHurler
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:37 PM

    This is what happens when the liberals take over.

    13
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    Mute Shane Corry
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:12 PM

    “It’s just a shame that television viewing numbers become more important than the truly amazing girls that got hurt and that now have to deal with the emotional trauma of the whole, quite frankly disgusting and cruel, ordeal.”.

    To be fair, it’s a show by a business and I would expect it’s a fairly costly show to put on as well, unless those “truly amazing girls” want to pay for the show too, the money has to come from somewhere.

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:57 PM

    It’s a business that has the escorts raising €1500 for the privilege of taking part (1500 X 65 = €97,500). How much are the Roses charged and half of them don’t even get to be on the telly?

    70
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    Mute Shane Corry
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:51 PM

    That’s fair but realistically €97K isn’t a huge amount in relation to what the show likely costs to produce, I’d say that wouldn’t even half cover the venue let alone staff, equipment, broadcast fees etc

    23
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    Mute Lorna Holderied
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:06 PM

    Its a lovely lady competion. They are there to represent the rose of tralee commitee at various fuctions around the world. No one said they cant have their opnions but this is not the stage for it. If you dont want to be a lovwly lady then dont enter. Bit like being in tje miss univerese comp and not wearing a bikini. It is what it is.

    62
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    Mute Lucy Legacy
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:59 PM

    You can be a lovely girl and be pro-choice too. They’re not incompatible

    83
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    Mute TheLoneHurler
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:36 PM

    Lovely indeed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=764CcBSboi0

    Amanda for ROT’17

    2
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    Mute gus sheridan
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:22 PM

    How do you pronounce her name? Never heard of that one before.

    54
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    Mute Susan O Connell
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:50 PM

    I think it’s pronounced ‘Fine -ka’

    18
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    Mute Techguy.ie
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:50 PM

    its pronounced Fainche :)

    54
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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:53 PM

    FAN-cha.

    I know someone same name different spelling.

    34
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:15 PM

    It’s Fine-ka

    10
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    Mute Get Lost Eircodes
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:17 PM

    Think of Sean Connery saying “Fancy”

    49
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:19 PM

    Sorry .. it’s Fine-kha ..

    6
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:57 PM

    ka and kha is the same sound Suzie.

    31
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:05 PM

    Hmmm ..

    12
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:16 PM

    I’m thinking it’s fain che, like faint with no t and che like you’re about to say check. Fainche. I could be wrong.

    16
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    Mute Eugene Walsh
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:46 PM

    It’s Finefai kajaka

    34
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:54 PM

    The ” che” part of the name in Irish is pronounced ” Kha ” .. if that makes sense ! ..

    4
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    Mute Joey_Westland
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    Aug 26th 2016, 11:23 PM

    Fawn-Sha.
    I have a cousin with that name.

    48
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Aug 26th 2016, 11:31 PM

    Fawnsha! Sounds right. Nice 1 Westland.

    29
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Aug 26th 2016, 11:40 PM

    Lol ..

    5
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Aug 26th 2016, 11:58 PM

    Suzie I wasn’t far off, but you were a mile off with your Fine-Kha.. ya mad yoke

    25
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Aug 27th 2016, 12:23 AM

    Jamie , ya mad yoke .. it is Fine-kha or Fine-ka . . But sure Fawnsha sounds good ..

    5
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    Mute O'Callaghan Stephen
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    Aug 26th 2016, 7:56 PM

    Im getting sick to death of people trying to constantly knock the ROT.
    I guarantee you if the competition was the Rose of Dublin you would not would be seeing this crap

    49
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    Mute Jonny
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:18 PM

    Epic trolling Stephen

    58
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    Mute O'Callaghan Stephen
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:36 PM

    epic truth..

    17
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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:47 PM

    the people who criticise the show must be ashamed to be Irish. These are the same people who also hates the Irish language.

    18
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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:00 PM

    1950′s anachronistic culchiefest.

    50
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    Mute gregory
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:05 PM

    What’s wrong with culties, they’re Irish too?

    27
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    Mute O'Callaghan Stephen
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:31 PM

    daisy please keep your urbanized racist bigotry for somewhere else

    28
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    Mute Robert James Behan
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:05 PM

    Doesn’t Mary have a lovely bottom?

    45
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    Mute Seamus Ryan
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:25 PM

    You can’t say that, it’s ” don’t they all have lovely bottoms”

    36
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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:13 PM

    the Down Rose is just bitter. Its funny how none of the other roses complained

    42
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    Mute John O'Neill
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:17 PM

    I don’t think she is…she has nothing to gain. I believe her.

    165
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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:42 PM

    yes she is bitter she didnt get picked to go on TV

    21
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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:14 PM

    What a load of BS

    29
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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:23 PM

    Just some guy. You have answered all my questions now looking at the comment you have just made.

    17
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    Mute David Grey
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    Aug 26th 2016, 11:07 PM

    As a blow in that has worked and lived in or around Tralee for 30 years I must admit I have a lot of respect for the Rose of Tralee!! It’s not a beauty contest and generally the winning Rose seems to be an incredibly grounded individual with a great personality – which is great to see in a modern era that seems to be guided more by image than substance! ! I think the Rose committee will asses their procedures for dealing with Roses on a continual basis if the past is anything to go by! It is nice to see what in essence is a personality contest remain as pure as possible – it’s not a Political pedestal and not a beauty contest – I hope it always keeps the values it has at present!

    32
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    Mute Joey_Westland
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:03 PM

    Thought it was absolutely shocking the way they forced that girl to talk about abortion as well.
    Absolutely shocking.

    31
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    Mute Eamon Mac Gowan
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:20 PM

    What a sore loser.

    28
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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:37 PM

    The whole bloody show should be scrapped it’s a load of rubbish which makes everyone including the presenter look silly

    75
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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Aug 26th 2016, 8:47 PM

    Alan

    Here is a great idea. dont watch it then

    25
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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:12 PM

    I take it you are one of the faithful I don’t watch it except that it get into the media just like what you are doing now

    21
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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:19 PM

    Just some guy. you should give yourself a clap on your own back if you can swing your hand that way for the one green you just gave yourself

    16
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:34 PM

    1.7 million viewers over the two days..

    15
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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:46 PM

    Alan

    what are you on about?

    5
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    Mute Flanagan Margaret
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:26 PM

    It’s the Annual Kerry Horse Opera. Total load of Rubbish.Money making racket. Get sense young wans and see the light. DAHAI some pain in the butt.

    18
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    Mute Cram Wood
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:59 PM

    FFS who gives a crap?

    27
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    Mute garret mccord
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    Aug 27th 2016, 3:15 AM

    Why is RTE so unwilling and unable to separate the mandate of Public Service Broadcasting from the commercial and parochial demands of a Kerry tourist advertisement?

    14
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    Mute john culhane
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    Aug 26th 2016, 10:35 PM

    Up Down

    13
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Aug 26th 2016, 11:35 PM

    Aye. Banbridge town in the county Down diddle dum dum dum dum day.

    6
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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Aug 27th 2016, 7:08 AM

    I think this young lady is right those questions and the timing of those interviews straight after being told you didn’t make the cut was typical of a donkey from RTE who most lightly hails from Dublin .The other side of the coin is it was their first year with 65 contestants and I think lessons have been learned and if not maybe their should a cut in the guys and girls running it.

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    Mute Tom Kennedy
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    Aug 27th 2016, 7:43 AM

    Im blaming the healy-rays…….. And they will blame the weather

    10
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    Mute Turk Oneeighttwo
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:19 PM

    @Just some guy…You come across as ‘Just some chump’

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Aug 26th 2016, 9:43 PM

    Thanks

    6
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    Mute RuaUisce
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    Aug 27th 2016, 4:01 AM

    Does this make rte a relevant broadcasting station now with all this “controversy”

    5
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    Mute Patrick Gough
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    Aug 27th 2016, 7:22 AM

    The journal.ie never told us.the answer to that important question. What colour underwear was she wearing.

    4
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