A Rose of Tralee contestant has said she will not take part in next years festival if she is forced to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
Ohio Rose Christine Smyth is the only Rose selected for the 2022 competition after this years festival, hosted by Daithi OSe, was cancelled for a second year in a row because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
But in a shock revelation, the Irish dancer said she wont be taking part next year and will opt out if taking the vaccine is a requirement to take part in the festival – saying she feels there is too much currently unknown about the vaccine.
She said: I personally am not vaccinated but Im happy to have the freedom to make that choice.
Im reluctant just because there are so many unknown currently right now, I know a lot of people who havent had any problems, but you hear the other side of the story as well and I feel like once its done, it cant be undone.
It might look completely different next year, she told Radio Kerry.
So I think we just have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Health would be my priority. I wouldnt want to put my own health at risk to partake in something that is so extremely special but I wouldnt choose that over my own personal health, added the 23-year-old.
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Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Christine says in her Rose of Tralee bio that Irish culture is an essential part of my life as she has family roots in County Clare.
She says: My future aspirations are to be an Irish dance teacher, wife, and mother someday.
She has opened her own dance school, The Smyth School of Dance after her late father.
I teach classes to adults, children, and special needs students so that all may experience the joy of dance. My background as a Regional Champion and World Medal Holder paired with my passion for teaching inspires my life goals.
I am a student at Baldwin Wallace University studying Arts Management, Entrepreneurship, & Dance. I love spending my free time with family, and I am so grateful to be a part of the Cleveland Irish Community, she adds.
It comes just a week after Anthony O’Gara, Rose of Tralee International Festival CEO, confirmed the cancellation of the annual competition.
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He said that since last year’s postponement, they have been working on how to safely deliver the 2021 Rose of Tralee International Festival.
However, the timeframe envisaged to “steer our communities out of this pandemic” means that they will not be able to have a festival again this year.
He said it is “immensely disappointing for all of us involved”.
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The statement read: “Last year was the first time in our history that the Festival was postponed, and doing so again is difficult for everyone involved and of course for those supporters that look forward to celebrating our global Irish community each August, but we are confident it is the right decision as we all play our part right now in keeping each other safe and well.
“The Rose of Tralee International Festival operates on a yearlong basis, in Irish communities worldwide; and we will continue to harness the goodwill of our extended Rose Family in supporting communities and charitable efforts over the next 12 months.
“Similarly, we will each have a role to play in restoring our community and local economy following this pandemic, and we look forward to coming together in celebration in August 2022.”
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“In the meantime, we salute the leadership and the selfless efforts of frontline and support staff everywhere; and among them the efforts by many of our Rose family.”
Host Daithi OSe told us how he was disappointed to get the call telling him he wouldnt be hosting in the Kerry Dome again this year.
The Today Show host said that although it was a difficult call to make, it was the right one.
He said: When its called, its a tough one all the same. Everybody is gutted and disappointed that it couldnt go ahead. We all know why it couldnt. The main thing really is to keep people safe.
By the time we come back in August 2022 we will have three years fully charged into the Rose of Tralee.
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