4 days ago
Cork Rose contestant with spina bifida says selection night experience ‘built-up my confidence'
But it's back to work already, and Sarah's hard at it in her salon at the Crann Centre, which opened its doors in 2018 and has been a key charity for people with neuro-physical disabilities and their families.
The facility is flat and wheelchair accessible and Ms Dullea said finding wheelchair accessible accommodation is 'really hard.'
'I opened the salon in November 2019 in the Crann Centre and I've been a beautician for 11 years.
'I knew of the centre since it opened, so I approached them and asked if I could use a space for one day per week and they said 'absolutely, no problem,' and now I'm there every Thursday and Friday,' she said.
Sarah's Art and Beauty offers a range of services including nails, spray tanning and waxing, and Ms Dullea said she loves her job.
'I love my job, and it still feels like a hobby.
'I always say to people that when you wake up in the morning, you should feel excited to go to your job and feel like you're doing a nice thing,' she said.
Her love for beauty started when she accompanied her mother to birthday parties as a pre-teen, as her mother offered a face painting service. Sarah would paint children's nails as part of the package.
'When I was younger, maybe 11 or 12 years old, myself and my mum would do these birthday parties for girls and I always have been interested in nail polish, so I would paint their nails and put stickers on them.
'All I ever wanted to do is beauty,' she added.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Dunmanway woman loves chatting with new and regular customers at the Crann Centre, and many of her customers would be wheelchair users who frequent the facility.
'I get to meet so many new clients and see my regulars, and there's always a new story every week and it's lovely to hear.
The beautician is also a volunteer at the Crann Centre, where she chaperones fun evenings, kids' clubs and other events.
Ms Dullea put herself forward for the Cork Rose selection in 2024 and 2025, and made 'fantastic friends' along the way.
'I had such a fantastic time and made such fantastic friends, and it really built up my confidence because I would struggle with making friends.
'With me being disabled, my friends were going off and living their lives and I might be a bit slower so I would struggle to hang on to them.
'I went for (Cork Rose) selection last year to build up my friendship group and some of my friends from last year came to support me on Sunday night (for the 2025 Cork Rose selection), which was fantastic,' she added.
Sunday's Cork Rose selection saw Nancy Lehane earn the sash to represent the Rebels at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August, and Sarah said she 'can't wait' to show her support for the Meelin woman.
'Nancy is such a sweetheart, and we were thrilled for her.
'She is the most genuine and down-to-earth person I've ever met.
'She is a darling and I can't wait to go to Tralee and support her,' she concluded.
