Breffni Rose swaps football boots for high heels
Michelle Taite
Teacher Tara Rogers is still on a high having been crowned the Cavan Rose of 2022 last month in the Kilmore Hotel.
Rogers, who hails from Knockbride, couldn’t believe it when her name was called to represent Cavan in Tralee in August.
“It’s still a bit mad even though it’s a week now at this stage, but it’s such a good feeling. I never would have thought I could have won, I really just did it for the craic and because it looks good on a CV. Then, when they called my name, I just burst into tears straight away. It’s such an honour.”
When asked why she set her sights on becoming the next Cavan Rose, Tara said: “A few people had already asked me would I ever consider being the next Cavan Rose and I always thought - ‘no I wouldn’t have time with work’. Then my boyfriend’s granny said ‘you should be on the Rose of Tralee’. After that I just said I’d give it a go.”
The selection day went by in a blur for the lovely Tara. All 11 potential roses arrived at the Kilmore early Saturday morning where they got their hair and makeup done, before sitting down for an interview with the judges. “All of the other girls were lovely,” says Tara, “any one of them could have won.”
She was then “thrown into the deep end” being the first Rose on stage. “I was so nervous, not so much about the singing as that’s what I mainly did in college, but I was terrified about talking.”
The Rogers family are widely regarded in the Knockbride GAA community. “My dad was a chairman for the club for seven years and I play football with the ladies, so I was asked about that on the day.”
The compère then continued to ask her questions about her car, her job and her family.
Each Rose has the option of including a performance while on stage. Tara, who teaches in Drumbaragh National School, sang a very fitting song for the night, ‘The Breffni Rose’.
Tara was supported by her closest family and friends on the night, all of whom were also delighted with her win. “Everybody seemed to be in tears, even my little brother was crying his eyes out. They’re all so, so happy. My granny and grandad are in their 80s and are on a high. Every person they meet on the road is stopping them to ask them questions.”
Once Tara was crowned the Cavan Rose, the celebrations started: “We ended up in the Imperial, Donal [Keogan] let us all in for free which was very kind of him. The following day I had to go to work but, that evening, we went to Traynors’ in Shercock for a while and then moved into Bailieborough.”
Having only told a few people about her decision to apply, some of Tara’s family and friends were shocked to learn of her victory. “I didn’t tell a lot of people I was going for it. So, the next day, when they realised I had won something, they were all delighted and all came into the Square Bar in Bailieborough.”
A week on and Tara has already been contacted by many different people regarding her new role.
“I was asked to sing the National Anthem at the Cavan Ladies’ game on Saturday (June 25). I have an interview with the Rose directors and Daithi Ó Se, which will be on RTE. As well as that, a lot of people have gotten on to me already saying they would like to sponsor me. It’s really nice getting all those messages.”
With the Rose of Tralee selection date fast approaching, Tara has a lot to be excited about.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the other Roses. I have already been talking to the Sligo and Dublin Rose and they seem lovely.”
Each Rose selected will take part in a range of events and parties over the coming months. “We will be going to the races and things like that which will be fun,” she continues.
A reorganisation of the competition, pre-Covid, means Cavan will have a Rose every second year and the representative will be guaranteed a television interview.
Cavan’s previous rose was Killinkere’s Rachel Cusack. Rachel was the longest serving Cavan Rose in the history of the festival after it was postponed for two years due to Covid restrictions.
The Rose of Tralee is an International Festival that sees women of Irish descent from all over the world compete to be crowned the Rose of Tralee.
This year it takes place from Friday, August 19 to Tuesday, August 23. Roses from across the world will make their way through all 32 counties of Ireland before finishing their journey in the heart of the festival, Tralee.
The reigning rose from 2019, Limerick’s Sinéad Flanagan is getting ready to hand over her sash and tiara.
Once crowned the Rose of Tralee the winner will be awarded a Tipperary Crystal Tiara, a €25,000 travel voucher, a brand new car sponsored by KIA and much more.