Rose of Tralee ‘sisterhood' planning Tralee invasion to support Cork Rose Nancy

Irish Independent

a day ago

A total of 25 women from the Cork Rose Centre contested this year's Cork Rose as Meelin native Nancy Lehane was chosen to represent the county. The good news for Nancy is the remaining 24 girls are planning to visit Tralee for the festival to support their friend and enjoy the occasion.
While there is much publicity given every year to the lifelong friendships forged among Roses lucky enough to represent their respective Rose centres, the same applies in the preliminary stages and the various centres around Ireland and the globe.
That all 25 contestants from the same Rose centre will be in Tralee for the festival must be a first in the storied history of the Rose of Tralee which started in the 1950s.
2025 Cork Rose contestant Lucy Ni Cuinneagáin, who represented Swissport in the sold-out selection night at Cork's Rochestown Park Hotel last month, explains the idea behind the visit.
'We just decided that we had grown so close over the last three months that it was only right that we go and celebrate Nancy winning, and hopefully winning the whole thing. She is like our sister so we're definitely all trying to go down and support her,' Lucy told The Kerryman.
Lucy explains the Cork Rose selection night was less a competition and more an opportunity to make 'a big group of sisters' and best friends. Nancy Leahane is said to be over the moon about the girls travelling in such numbers to support her.
'Out of all the centres that we've seen, we have become quite close. I have heard from girls in previous years that say a few attended the Rose, but only on the night of the selection. This year, the whole 24 of us are going down to support Nancy. It's probably a first and I don't think Tralee knows what it has coming,' Lucy added.
The pressure is on to find accommodation in Tralee for the week. Lucy has put out an appeal on social media for places to stay and is hoping some help and suggestions will come her way.
'We have phoned around a few places but it is proving difficult. We'll be trying to beg, borrow, and steal accommodation from people including some of our families that are living in Tralee. It is going to be a very expensive week so any way that we can get accommodation it would be greatly appreciated,' she said.
With strong West Kerry connections to Castlegregory, Lucy is well accustomed to the special atmosphere created by the Rose of Tralee. Being a contestant in 2025 was part of a childhood dream.
'It's absolutely a surreal feeling to be a contestant. It was a fantastic experience and we're all so proud that we did it. The Rose of Tralee has always been a huge deal for me growing up. It's something that is close to me because the girls are really great and we've made some great connections. We became this big sisterhood – a sisterhood that is heading to Tralee to support a friend,' she said.
Anyone with accommodation ideas can contact Lucy at 083 3858519.