Pick of the bunch for Monaghan Rose

The Monaghan Rose selection night is taking place this evening, Saturday, April 18, in the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan. On the night, the next Monaghan Rose will be chosen out of 14 Rose hopefuls. The Anglo-Celt spoke brings you the pick of the bunch and their pitch for why they should be the next Monaghan Rose...

Aoibhinn Craven

From Monaghan Town, 19-year-old Aoibhinn is currently in her second year studying Music Education in Trinity College Dublin and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Music and the Irish Language are a huge part of who Aoibhinn is. Having been taught through the medium of Irish for all of her school education, Aoibhinn works part time with Muineachán le Gaeilge as a Youth Leader. She joined Rossmore School of Speech and Drama at just four years of age and, at 19, qualified as a Speech and Drama Teacher. Aoibhinn has been sponsored by D Kerr Electrical Ltd.

Aoife Cassidy

Tyholland lady, Aoife, is 23 years' old. In 2023 she qualified with a Degree of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Ulster. Aoife currently works as a Specialist Vascular OT in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, where she specialises in supporting people who have lost a lower limb. Her favourite thing about her job is her colleagues and her patients.

Aoife’s hobbies include going to the gym, running, walking, reading and art. Last year she completed the Belfast City Marathon with friends as a relay and ran 11km. Aoife has been sponsored by Bragan Skincare.

Aoife McCooey

Aoife, from Castleblayney, is an English Teacher in Dundalk. The 29 year old completed a Professional Masters of Education Post-Primary in 2023 having already completed a Masters in Public Affairs and Political Education. As a teacher, Aoife is passionate about supporting young people and is particularly interested in working with students with additional needs.

In 2019, at the age of 22, Aoife was elected to local Government and served for five years as a councillor. Aoife is highly involved with Clogher Don Óige and sits on its steering committee. Clogher Don Óige have kindly sponsored Aoife.

Aoife McKenna

Monaghan lady Aoife (21) is currently in her third year of Early Childhood Studies. Her dream job is to become a Special Education Teacher. Outside of college Aoife works part time in Dunnes Stores.

Aoife is very passionate ab out her hobbies, she’s played musical instruments from a young age and is deeply involved in the Irish country jiving community. She would say she eats, sleeps and breathes jiving; she is a member of Team Jivingym and is beginning her journey as a Jiving Instructor. Aoife has been sponsored by McKee Contracting.

Caoimhe Hurson

Caoimhe (26) always wanted to be a teacher. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Education from St Patrick’s College DCU, Caoimhe is proud to have achieved that dream and currently teaches second class in Gaelscoil Dhun Dealgan, Dundalk.

PRO of her local GAA club, Éire Óg Na Mullaí, Caoimhe is also a juvenile coach. She is a lover of country music and jiving and is a multiple All-Ireland, European and world line dancing champion. She has received a Special Recognition Award from Monaghan County Council for these achievements. Caoimhe is sponsored by Rice Coaches.

Ellie Duffy

Ellie (21) from Culloville is currently in her third year of college studying Early Childhood Studies in DKIT. Even though she is a full-time student, she works part time in a crèche, Little Explorers. Ellie loves sharing in the milestones of the children she works with and encouraging them on their learning journey.

Ellie’s interests include running and pilates and she would love to run a half marathon next year. Ellie has been sponsored by Declan Duffy Carpentry.

Kayleigh McCarron

Kayleigh, who hails from Clogher, Co Tyrone, is 20 years' old. With Dad and his family from Emyvale, Kayleigh still has lots of connections to Monaghan. Kayleigh is in her final year of studies in Ulster University, Belfast and is due to graduate this Summer with a Degree in Communication Management and Public Relations.

Her goal is to enrol in a Post Graduate Certificate in Eudcation course to fulfil her dream of becoming a teacher. When not in college, Kayleigh is Clogher Éire Ógs PRO, a volunteer with Omagh Down Syndrome Group and has modelled for an equestrian brand. Kayleigh is sponsored by World Equestria.

Kerina Shields

Carrickmacross lady, Kerina, is a full time Midwifery Student and also works part time as a Support Worker in a residential service. Kerina is highly dedicated to learning and helping others.

The 19 year old is a multiple medal holder for Community Games, enjoys playing the fiddle and cornet and has a deep interest in women’s health and reproductive health. Kerina loves the community spirit of Carrickmacross Kerina has been sponsored by Touch & Glow Skin and Laser.

Lauren Eakins

Lauren, from Monaghan, completed her Degree in Early Years Education and Special Needs Assisting while working full time in an early years setting. The 25 year old, continues to upskill in her current role as the Education and Training Officer with Ohk Energy, a Monaghan based renewable energy company. This role gives Lauren the opportunity to travel across the country visiting primary schools to deliver workshops on climate change.

Lauren has been performing on stage for as long as she can remember, she has released three cover songs with local band Beetroot and is a proud member of the Jiving Country family. Lauren is sponsored by Terry’s Bar, where she works part time.

Leah Murphy

Emyvale lady, Leah, is a Manager in a FinTech Company based in Belfast called Options Technology Ltd. This role has given Leah an opportunity to travel extensively. The 25 year old graduated from Queens University with a Degree in Computing and Information Technology in 2022.

Leah is very involved in the Irish language world, both online and offline, she’s worked with TG4, RTÉ and BBC on this. The Rose of Tralee Festival is very special to the Murphy family, Leah’s late auntie Sinéad Murphy, was the Ulster Rose in 1991. Leah has been sponsored by Muineachán le Gaeilge.

Leah Sleator

Leah, who completed a Masters in Post Primary Education from Hibernia University, currently works as an English teacher in St Louis Secondary School, Monaghan.

Leah who is 25, had her first introduction to the Rose of Tralee many years ago when she had the opportunity to be a Rosebud at the Monaghan Selection.

Leah enjoys creative writing, and won an award for her short story piece as part of her college dissertation. She has a huge love for musical theatre and has previously taken part in amateur productions. Leah has been sponsored by The Squealing Pig.

Orla McGuigan

Orla, from Threemilehouse, works in the Aftersales Department of Doran Motors as a Service Advisor. The 21 year old, who has a keen interest in cars graduated last year with a Degree in Automotive Engineering and Management. Coming from a family of mechanics, Orla grew up spending her weekends at stock car racing and rallies.

Orla loves to sing and has been a member of Born 2 Perform Stage School since a young age; just last year she competed with them in ‘Show Tops’ All Ireland Competition where they were crowned champions. Her new year’s resolution for 2026 was to try new things and make new friends, which led her to the Monaghan Rose. Orla has very kindly been sponsored by Doran Motors.

Sadhbh Ní Threinfhir

Sadhbh, the baby of this year’s Monaghan Rose entrants, is 18 and is currently a full time student in Queens University Belfast studying Applied Maths and Physics. Her goal is to become a medical physicist and work in cancer research, this passion began when she started studying physics in fifth year.

Sadhbh works part time in An Nead, Irish language coffee shop in Monaghan. Sadhbh has a huge interest in the promotion of the Irish language, Irish heritage and music; she filmed a piece for TG4 on being a young gaelgeoir and Irish woman. Sadhbh has been sponsored by Lavery Photo & Video.

Sinéad McKernan

Sinead, 27, hails from Kildare but with family in Emyvale, she was keen to take part in the Monaghan Rose Selection. She enjoys going home to her granny’s in Monaghan to help out on the farm.

With a Degree in Early Childhood Education, Sinéad works as a Creche Manager, a role which she finds very rewarding.

Sinéad has a huge interest in the performing arts and has been taking part in shows since the age of seven. She takes part in local pantomimes and theatre groups.

Her ambition is to become a Primary School Teacher and hopes to begin her Masters this year. Sinéad has been sponsored by McMahon’s Shop, Emyvale.