The Rose Of Tralee has had its share of unforgettable moments on stage over the years – but the first night of the 2016 bash has set a new record for WTF-watercooler chat-moments.
The big talking point from the first night at the Dome in Kerry is, of course, the Fathers4Justice protestor that stormed the stage during the interview with the Cavan Rose.
But the moment that has struck the deepest chord with Irish viewers was the interview with the Sydney Rose, Brianna Parkins.
Parkins works as a journalist with the ABC network in Australia, and used her time on stage to speak about a host of women’s issues, including cuts to domestic violence charity funding in her native country.
Sydney Rose Brianna Parkins #RoseOfTralee pic.twitter.com/j8ptW81oTY
— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 22, 2016
“It’s just not on, and I think we can do better,” she told host Daithi O’Se.
“And I think we can do better in Ireland, I think it’s time to give women a say over their reproductive rights. I’d love to see a referendum coming up on the 8th [Amendment] sometime soon, that’d be my dream.”
You can watch a clip of the interview below – however, quite a few people on social media are advising to watch it quick, as RTE may feel pressure to erase the comments from the online playback due to its strict rules about impartiality on social and political issues.
Sydney Rose #repealthe8th #roseoftralee pic.twitter.com/i60PAjDw09
— B e r n i e ☕🌈 (@groovybernie) August 22, 2016
Brianna reiterated her support for the Repeal The 8th movement by posting this image on Twitter last night wearing a Repeal t-shirt.
Thanks for the all the support #SydneyRose #RoseofTralee #repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/zqK0XPkJ34
— Brianna Parkins (@parkinsbrea) August 23, 2016
There’s been a huge reaction on social media to Parkins’ rallying call.
https://twitter.com/TheresaNewIdea/status/767851865023340544
Ran out to seek wifi in a Lisdoonvarna hotel to thank Sydney Rose Brianna for supporting #repealthe8th Cannot believe. #TheRoseofRepeal ❤️
— Róisín Jingle 🎄 (@roisiningle) August 22, 2016
Ha! The Sydney Rose has covered all the hot topics repeal the 8th , the poem ban AND lovely bottoms! #RoseofTralee
— Clare keeping her mask on 😷 Barrett (@CBumble) August 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/Rachelagain/status/767867136769396736
Imagine if the remaining Roses took courage from #SydneyRose and reiterated their rights to their OWN bodies #RoseofTralee. #repealthe8th 💪
— Andrea Kissane (@AndreaKissane) August 22, 2016
Imagine the controversy if she recited a poem about the 8th ! Jokes aside fair play to the Sydney Rose #RoseofTralee
— Oisin Langan (@oisinlangan) August 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/niamhsquared/status/767850062944796673
https://twitter.com/griffski/status/767848620607627265
Sydney Rose #repealthe8th #RoseofTralee YES!!! pic.twitter.com/TSPyW2woyv
— Bernadette Ferguson (@bfergusonkf) August 22, 2016
