The Donegal Rose of Tralee has found herself in the middle of a Twitter storm.
On Monday evening she appeared in the Dome to be interviewed by the host Dáithí Ó Sé and as a party piece recited a poem.
However poems were banned by the competition organisers in 2016, leading to a mini tornado on social media.
Fortunately though the support far outweighed the detractors.
During her interview with Dáithí Ó Sé, Katie McAteer, from Rathmullan, spoke about her time studying journalism and new media at the University of Limerick. She talked of the death of her father and the fond memories she had with him.
Katie also highlighted Rainbow, a charity that supports children who have suffered the loss of, or separation from a parent.
She then preformed her party piece which was a poem called ‘Ode to Rathmullan’ which she paired with footage from her hometown to promote and welcome people back after the Pandemic.
“We know it’s been some time since you’ve been to the place by the beach,
Your escape, your home, your get away has never been so far out of reach.
But brighter days are coming where no one has to cocoon,
We can come and go as much as you please just know that day will be soon.
There’s plenty of coffee for catch ups and craic to be had in the bars,
There’s more than enough food to go around,
We’ll dance at the gig rig under the stars.
The putting green will be open and by god they’ll be football too,
With kayaking, sailing and tennis there will always be something to do.
So take a wander through the walks or a dip in the tide,
Then wander down the wishing well and set all your worries aside.
You’ll hear the horses gallop and the waves as they crash along the shore,
You’ll feel the sea breeze hit you,
It’s heaven on your door.
We know you might be feeling fed up wherever in the world you are right now,
But Rathmullan will be waiting on you with open arms whenever fates allow.”
In 2016, poetry was banned from the Rose of Tralee as a party piece in order to modernise the show and online trolls weren’t impressed when this rule was broken with some taking to Twitter to voice their opinions.
“I thought poems were banned. You can’t stick music under them and some drone shots and think we won’t notice. #roseoftralee”
“Ah come on!!! That has to breach of rules?? Visual aids this year? That’s a new one? #RoseOfTralee”
But hundreds sent Katie well wishes on Facebook.
The winner of the festival will be crowned this evening after the remaining 15 Roses take to the stage.
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