A dozen roses to vie for Cavan crown this Friday night

A dozen of the finest Roses that the Breffni county has to offer have been picked for the 2017 Cavan Rose selection night, taking place at the Hotel Kilmore's Country Club this coming Friday, May 5.

The Cavan Rose Centre has once again been busy putting the final touches to this year's event, with the event's main sponsors, the Hotel Kilmore, where Ross and Kate Mealiff and all their staff will provide a the warmest welcome as always in the build up to the day and on the big day itself.
The night begins at 8pm, with doors opening at 7:30pm. Tickets are €20. MC on the night is  renowned Rose of Tralee MC Brendan Hennessy.
The culmination of all the planning and pageantry is the crowning of the Cavan Rose 2017, who will then represent the county at the Rose of Tralee Festival in Tralee in August later this year.
Former Cavan Rose Laura Galligan and local businesswoman Lorraine O’Neill are the co-ordinators of the Cavan Rose Centre, with assistance from Sinead Galligan. They believe that the 12 chosen Cavan Rose nominees are fabulous representatives for their families, their sponsors, their parish, but above all for themselves. They also paid tribute to the event's sponsors, the talented ladies at Tibo Cavan and Utopia Health & Beauty. 'We are delighted to have Natasha Murray, make-up artist and Karen Conroy, hairdresser, this year to be there for the last minute touch-ups Friday afternoon.'
Boots Cavan meanwhile are sponsoring beautiful gift bags for all the Roses, and Cara chemist is kindly gifting the 2017 Cavan Rose with a winning hamper. Cavan Gifts are furthermore sponsoring the 2017 Cavan Rose with a beautiful engraved crystal piece.
Cian Murtagh Pharmacy will also sponsor a prize for the best dressed on the night; while The Anglo-Celt are media partners.
'We would not be able to have our selection night without our amazing 12 sponsors sponsoring our 12 roses so thank you,' the coordinators told the Celt, who also reserved a special thank you for Flowers.ie, official sponsors with Rose of Tralee for 2017, who will provide a bouquet to the chosen Cavan Rose on the night. As always, as an aside from the main 12 Cavan Rose nominees, 14 wonderful rosebuds have also been chosen to represent their friends and families on the night. The Cavan Rose Centre furthermore thanked and congratulated 2016 Cavan Rose Lisa Reilly for her work as an ambassador over the last 12 months.
'We were extremely proud of Lisa and her fabulous character in Tralee and throughout the whole year. She is now part of the Rose of Tralee family forever.'

‘I don’t let this minor mishap taint my amazing experience’

Meanwhile, last year's Cavan Rose Lisa Reilly from Ballinagh, recalls a whirlwind year as she prepares to hand over her sash and crown this Friday night...

'Standing at the side of the stage before you go on, several disaster stories run through your head 'what if I fall' or 'what if my dress rips'. But never would I have thought I would have a protestor join me on stage!,' recalls Lisa of the shocking moment 'Justice 4 Fathers' protester Matt O'Connor invaded the stage during the 57th annual Rose of Tralee broadcast.

But the brave Ballinagh native says that the 'minor mishap' has done nothing to taint the amazing experience she had or the respect that she still has for the festival. 'Standing on stage and knowing how proud my family and friends were of me was the only thing that kept me going during my 'disruption' on stage.'
Now approaching the end of her tenure as Cavan Rose, the Montessori teacher states that from the moment she received the prestigious title her 'life changed dramatically'.
The 'most amazing experience' of her life, Lisa recalls, among others spending time at the Tullacmongan resource centre with the Teach Ollscoil youth project to volunteering at the Vesnova Mental Asylum in Belarus with children and young adults affected by the Chernobyl disaster, or walking down 5th Avenue in the St Patrick’s Day Parade.
'I have spent the last year trying my best to represent our county in the most favourable light both internationally and here home in Ireland. From the moment I received this prestigious title my life changed dramatically.'
She adds that throughout her year as Cavan Rose she has been 'so grateful for my family and friends' for their support and hopes to have made her parents Mattie and Eileen proud. 'I am under no illusion that I would not be the educated and well-grounded lady I am today, if it wasn’t for their constant support and guidance throughout the years. I am also very thankful to both my sisters for being by my side throughout the year. I am very lucky to have a huge family and I am beyond grateful for all of their support from day one. A special mention to the man that had to listen to me during all of my nervous rants and meltdowns in the build up to Tralee, my boyfriend Fergal. Thank you for always being there and making me believe in myself. I was very lucky to have you by my side for all of this experience and I can’t wait for our next adventure.'
Lisa would like to wish all the Rose hopefuls the best of luck this Friday night and has assured the next Cavan Rose of her support going forward.

 

Meet the Rose hopefuls who will take to the stage this Friday night:

 

Amy Cullivan

From: Crossdoney
Sponsor: PC Drain Cleaning Ltd
Currently living in Offaly, Amy (26) from Crossdoney, who is sponsored by PC Drain Cleaning Ltd, is a past pupil of Ballinagh NS and Loreto College Cavan.
She graduated from NUI Galway with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and is now working as senior HR coordinator with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals based in Limerick. In her free time, Amy enjoys spending time with family and friends, and has a keen interest in travel and meeting new people.
'I entered the Cavan Rose as I feel it would be a brilliant experience to meet the other hopefuls and would be honoured to represent Cavan at the renowned Rose of Tralee Festival,' says Amy.
　

Caoimhe Peyton

From: Mullagh
Sponor: Indorama Ventures,Wellman International LTD
'I am honoured and privileged to be part of this wonderful experience and I would be overjoyed to represent Cavan in this year's International Rose of Tralee festival,' says Caoimhe (24) from Mullagh.
Sponsored by Indorama Ventures, Wellman International LTD, the St Patrick's College, Drumcondra graduate is currently teaching in her hometown at St Kilian's National School in Mullagh having qualified with an Honours degree in Primary teaching.
Caoimhe aims to pursue a Masters in Leadership and Management in Trinity College Dublin this coming Autumn. Among her interests are art and design, poetry and fashion. Family are especially important to her and she loves new challenges too.
　

Aoibhin Kiernan

From: Ballymachugh
Sponsor: Breffni Mushrooms
Aoibhin (21) from the parish of Ballymachugh has an undergraduate degree in History and Geography from Maynooth University.
Now in her fourth year, doing a Masters in Geocomputation, among Aoibhin's other interests are Gaelic football, and has played with the Senior County team since she was aged 15 years. She has taken this year out as she wants to focus on her Masters.
'I've decided to enter the Rose competition as I am quite unpredictable and it's something that a lot of people would not expect me to do,' says Aoibhin, who is sponsored by Breffni Mushrooms. 'I believe I would be a great rose as I am down to earth and easy going. I think I have a lot of great qualities that a rose should have and I am looking forward to the experience.'

Rebecca Thompson

From: Butlersbridge
Sponsor: Cc’s Nails & Beauty
Rebecca (21) from Butlersbridge works at Cc’s Nails and Beauty as a qualified beauty therapist and nail technician.
Currently finishing up her Teaching Diploma in Beauty Therapy in Co Galway, among Rebecca's keen interests are travelling, as well as going to the gym. She also loves spending quality time with friends and family.
She says: 'I entered the Cavan Rose as it will be an unforgettable experience, a great way to meet new people and was always something I had thought about doing. It would be an absolute honor to represent my county and parish in such a world renowned event.'
　

Maria Donnery

From: Shercock
Sponsor: Seclusion Beauty Salon
From Shercock, Maria (22) is a past pupil of Shercock National School, St Aidan’s Comprehensive School, Cootehill and Royal School Cavan.
She is currently in her final year of a BA in Irish Music and Dance in the University of Limerick, and is due to finish on May 15.
Among Maria's interests are dancing, singing, running, travelling and spending quality time with her family. 'It would truly be an honour to represent my county at the Rose of Tralee, as I have always had a special love for the Irish language, dance, and singing, and I could not think of any better way to celebrate our heritage,' says Maria, who is sponsored by Seclusion Beauty Salon.

 

Paula McParland

From: Kildallan
Sponsor: McVitty’s Transport
From the parish of Kildallan and is currently residing in Drumcondra, Dublin, Paula (23) qualified as a primary school teacher in 2014 and has been working at St Michael’s NS, Ballyfermot, for the past three years. A competitive Irish Dancer and has competed at national and international level, Paula also enjoys many other forms of dance, such as modern and contemporary. She runs a modern dance school, catering for children of all ages and abilities and over the years has also carried out voluntary work with young people both at home and Dublin.
Sponsored by McVitty’s Transport, Paula says: 'I entered the Cavan Rose as it is an amazing opportunity to meet fantastic girls from all over the county and I feel it will be an experience both me and my family will never forget. If I became the Cavan Rose, I would be incredibly honoured to represent my family, my parish and my county at such a prestigious and renowned international festival.'
　

Elle Gordon

From: Virginia
Sponsor: The Buff Day Spa, Dublin
Elle (26) from Virginia in Cavan currently lives in Dublin having completed an English and Film studies degree in UCD, and a Masters in journalism in DCU.
She works as a journalist and production operative for The Sunday Independent LIFE magazine, and her interests include fashion, travel, and of course writing.
Elle's mantra is to make the most of every opportunity that comes her way; from letting her mammy pick her tinder dates for the sake of a feature, to throwing herself full throttle into a press trip about rollercoasters even though she felt absolutely terrified.
Sponsored by the Buff Day Spa in Dublin, she is full of the joys of life excited for what’s ahead and would be honoured to represent Virginia as the Cavan Rose.
　

Ashling Smith

From: Cornafean
Sponsor: Hotel Kilmore
From the parish of Kilmore, Ashling (20) is a current student in Athlone Institute of Technology studying Social Care.
She is currently working in the hotel Kilmore as part time staff. Her interests include spending time with family and friends, and is hugely interested in playing football
Ashling, who is sponsored by the Hotel Kilmore is a true 'Reds' women, and she will be taking on charity work and camps that link with her course during the summer months. 'I entered the Cavan Rose as it will be an experience that is said to be enjoyable and also for a bit of crack. It would be an honour to represent my county, parish, club, family and friends in one of the most watched international festivals.'

Leanne Tierney

From: Lavey
Sponsor: Gearoid Brady Mechanical and Seamus Tierney Plant Hire
Lavey-native Leanne (23) is a past pupil of Killyconnan National school, and Loreto College Cavan. Having graduated with a Science degree, Leanne is now working in one of Ireland's leading beef processing companies, Liffey Meats.
Her interests include playing football with her local GAA club, and she is also very passionate about dancing and Irish music.
Leanne loves spending her quality time with her family and friends, as well as participating in community events.
She recently participated in a Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser, and says it is an honour to have been nominated to fulfil the role as the Cavan rose. 'I would be so proud to represent my parish and my county in one of Ireland's most elegant international festivals,' says Leanne.

Mairead Moynagh

From: Lacken
Sponsor: Morgan McKinley
Currently living in Dublin, Mairead (24) currently works as an Inward Investment Associate with Morgan McKinley. Having completed her BA in Geography and Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Health Promotion in NUI Galway, since graduating Mairead has worked with Focus FRC in Killeshandra as a Youth and Family Support Intern. She also works with Ariel’s Legacy as the National Program Director, promoting Mental Health in schools throughout New York City.
Mairead enjoys spending time with her family and friends on her weekends off, and admits that entering the Rose of Tralee competition is something she has always wanted to do. 'To be part of this internationally renowned festival and of the Cavan selection with so many wonderful girls is an honour,' she says.
　

Gráinne Mc Phillips

From: Ballinagh
Sponsored: Clarke Machinery
Coming from a small farm near Ballinagh, Gráinne (22) studied in St Patrick’s College, Drumconda, and now teaches third and fourth class in StBrigid’s National School, Redhills.
In her free time, she enjoys a wide variety of past times including travelling, jiving and playing music - accordion and guitar. Gráinne is also heavily involved in her local Macra Club, Kilnaleck, here she is currently the club secretary.
'As a child I always thought one day I would like to enter the Rose of Tralee and now this year it is becoming a reality,' says Gráinne, who is being sponsored by Clarke Machinery. 'As the Cavan Rose I would display leadership and encouragement to all, while acting as an ambassador not only for my county but also for young women all over the world.'

Charlene Magee

From: Ballinagh
Sponsor: Ballyjamesduff Co-operative
From the parish of Drumcrow, near Ballinagh, Charlene is a past pupil of Kilmore Central National School, and Breifne College Cavan.
Having studied Agriculture at Ballyhaise Agricultural College where she received her level 5 and 6 Certificate in Agriculture, Charlene loves spending time with my family and friends, and also time down on the farm with her animals.
'I entered the Cavan Rose because I love meeting new people. If I become the Cavan Rose, will be a great experience and I will be very proudly representing my family, friends, community and the Breffni blue county,' says Charlene, who is sponsored by Ballyjamesduff Co-operative.