Rose of Tralee: Mothers, student nurses and international contestants shine on first night

Irish Examiner

a day ago

Mothers, a judicial assistant from the Four Courts, and a clinical research associate are among this year's contestants for the Rose of Tralee.
Monday night saw 18 of the 32 rose contestants appear on the first of two selection nights of this year's festival. First up was the Meath Rose, Ella Bannon.
At 20, the DCU student nurse is this year's youngest Rose but told co-presenter Kathryn Thomas in the onstage interview that she had 'aged' since taking part in the contest.
A keen Irish dancer, she came seventh in the An Chomhdháil World Championships in 2021 and said her proudest moment was dancing for Pope Francis in Croke Park in 2018.
Her Irish dancing earned her a resounding ovation from the assembled audience, who clapped along as she danced around the stage.
Next up was the Dublin-born Washington DC Rose, Soracha McGrath, who grew up in Mayo and currently works as a junior professional associate at the World Bank Group, the world's largest development organisation.
Carlow Rose Katie Ryan leads a yoga demonstration on stage at the Kerry Sports Academy, MTU with Kathryn Thomas and Dáithí Ó Sé. Picture: Domnick Walsh
She was followed by the Wexford Rose, who said being selected for her county, and taking part on Monday night was 'better than winning the Lotto'.
After talking to Kathryn about her work as a dipper truck driver for a local grain firm, she sang a resounding rendition of the Dubliners song, The Boulavogue.
After the break, it was Ciara Jo Hanlon, who was interviewed by co-presenter Dáithí Ó Sé.
She is hoping to make it two in a row for New Zealand after Keely O'Grady was crowned the 2024 International Rose of Tralee at last year's festival, becoming the third Rose from New Zealand to win in the history of the festival.
She is now preparing to hand over her crown, and Ciara — who sang a moving version of She Moves Through the Fair — is hoping to fill her shoes.
Luxembourg Rose and restaurant critic Aisling Guilfoyle followed her, and she spoke of how she lives with PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome.
Asked about it by Kathryn, she explained it is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age.
Luxembourg Rose Aisling Guilfoyle spoke of the difficulties of living with PCOS. Picture: Domnick Walsh
Kerry Rose Laura Daly was last up before the show took a break for the news. She told Daithi about how much she was having 'a great time' with her 'girlies' — her fellow roses — and that taking part is a privilege.
She danced a contemporary dance on stage, giving a performance that earned her resounding applause from the audience.
Following on from her was one of the four mothers taking part, Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner. Interviewed by Dáithí, she paid tribute to her son Noah.
Asked if it was hard to juggle being a mother and a student, she became emotional as she paid tribute to her family for their help. She also told of how her late sister's 'spirit is beside me'.
Other contestants included the Armagh Rose, Erin McCormack, another of the mothers.
Andy Rodgers was announced as the 2025 Rose Escort of the Year during Monday night's show. Picture: Domnick Walsh
How a Rose gets to win is far more than their performance in front of the judging panel on either of the selection nights.
They meet the judges numerous times in the days building up to the two selection nights, and are judged in both formal and informal settings.
As well as individual interviews, there is also a group interview, and they are also observed at various social events, including over lunch with the judges, and at a BBQ — due to be held later today.
This year's judges are former Rose of Tralee Clare Kambamettu, who was recently engaged to former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy, RTÉ's Nuala Carey, fashion designer Don O'Neill, and Aisling Murphy of sponsor Murphy's New Homes.
Not so in the public eye but not far from it are the escorts that accompany the Roses, and this year's crop contain a number of interesting characters.
They include a former US Marine, the San Francisco Rose escort Leo McFadden, and a number of entrepreneurs — including a former Forbes Under 30 lister Seamus Ruiz-Earle, escorting the Californian Rose.
If the history of bookies' favourites is anything to go by, being one before selection night is more likely a sign you could win as not. But it is definitely not a sure fire thing.
Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner performs on stage at the Kerry Sports Academy, MTU, with Dáithí Ó'Sé during the Rose of Tralee International Festival TV Rose Selection night on Monday. Picture: Domnick Walsh
In 2015, for example, Meath Rose Elysha Brennan was the bookies' favorite to win, and she did.
But the following year, while Kilkenny Rose Sarah Kearns was an early favourite, and ended up as joint favourite alongside the Roscommon Rose, neither of them won.
The Rose that year was instead Maggie McEldowney, from Chicago.
Again, while Texas Rose Lydian Lawler Lopez was favorite to win in 2017, Offaly Rose Jennifer Byrne won instead with odds of 33/1.
The next year's favourite, Waterford Rose Kirsten Mate Maher, won in 2018 as predicted after leaving early favourites London and Melbourne in her wake.
Kerry Rose Laura Daly's contemporary dance received a resounding round of applause. Picture: Domnick Walsh
In 2019, another late favorite to win also clinched the crown, with Limerick Rose Sinéad Flanagan picked by the judges ahead of early contenders Kerry Rose Sally-Ann Leahy, Kildare Rose Emer Fogarty and Melbourne Rose Jordan Balfry.
There were no favourites or winners in 2020 or 2021, as the competition was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Fast forward to this year, and the current favourite is the Cork Rose, Nancy Lehane.
Just before 11pm, Lehane made her appearance to loud cheers from the audience.
She spoke about being a volunteer teacher to 60 'amazing' kids in Uganda.
'They have a lot of joy and generosity,' she said. 'They are rich in so many other ways.'
Dubbed by 'the joker in the bunch', Kathryn also said she was one contestant who lost little opportunity to sing.
Lehane sang a ballad local to her native Meelin, North Cork, called The Village on the Hill — an apt title for a village feted as the highest in Ireland.
She got a loud cheer and applause from the audience after she performed the searing ballad.