Cavan Roses are budding for selection night

Fifteen hopefuls have put themselves forward for consideration as the next Cavan Rose in this year's Rose of Tralee festival. The selection night will take place in the Hotel Kilmore this evening, Sunday, April 19, when current Cavan Rose, English and Sociology student Grace Farrelly from Shercock, will hand over the crown and sash to the winner. Róisín McManus looks at each Rose hopeful vying to represent their county...

Alanna Brady

Age: 22

From: Drumlane

Sponsor: The Railway Bar Belturbet

Occupation: Special Needs Assistant in the Holy Family School, Cootehill

Hobbies: Farming, baking, reading, spending time with family and friends, and travelling and experiencing new places and cultures

Alanna is the daughter of Daniel and Amanda Brady. Daniel is a dairy farmer and Amanda works with the Cavan County Board GAA. She has two sisters, Ellen, who is a nurse in Cavan General Hospital, and Sinead who teaches in Dublin.

After a year studying Applied Social Sciences in Cavan Institute, where she did her work experience in the Holy Family School, Alanna decided to become a special needs assistant.

She has been working in the Holy Family School for the past three years, which she loves, and just before Easter, was made permanent.

Along with a “strong interest” in farming, Alanna also has a “real love” for baking and is often “happiest in the kitchen” trying out new recipes.

Having grown up watching the Rose of Tralee, Alanna has “always wanted” to be a Rose and is glad to now have the opportunity to try.

“It would be a great honour to be the 2026 Cavan Rose to make Cavan and my family proud.”

Grainne Burns

Age: 28

From: Cavan Town

Sponsor: Klass Cleaners

Occupation: Medical Lab Aide in Cavan General Hospital

Hobbies: Reading and crochet

Grainne is the daughter of John and Sinéad Burns. She has an older sister, Shannon, and two younger brothers, Emmet and Bobby.

She has a BSc in Applied Biology and Biopharmaceutical Science. She currently works as a medical lab aide in Cavan General Hospital and hopes to further her studies to become a medical scientist.

“I really enjoy my job and I get to work with such lovely people,” she praises.

From 2022-2024, Grainne lived in Vancouver, where she worked as a Quality Control (QC) Specialist in StemCell Technologies.

“I loved every minute of living there, where I got to meet some wonderful friends and experience life abroad, but I’m very happy to be home in Cavan,” admits Grainne.

As well as reading, Grainne loves to crochet, a pastime she shares with her mam. Grainne and her mam have started to participate in some local markets, such as Cootehill Christmas Market and the Summer Cottage Market Cavan. “It’s a lovely way to make great memories together,” she says of their joint hobby.

Grainne says it would be an “honour” to represent her county and family in such an “amazing” event.

“A great opportunity to meet new people and make unforgettable memories,” she says.

Ava Campbell

Age: 18

From: Bailieborough

Sponsor: Blackwell Contracts Ltd

Occupation: Office Administrator for Blackwell Contracts Ltd and works in family-owned pub, Fáilte Bar

Hobbies: Being involved in her local community, spending time with family and friends and socialising

On the weekends, Ava works in her family’s pub, Fáilte Bar, where she loves meeting new people and being part of “such a social environment”.

“Growing up around the pub has given me a real appreciation for community and bringing people together,” she recalls.

Ava would be “so proud” to represent Cavan in the Rose of Tralee.

“It would mean a lot to showcase my county and be part of such a special experience.”

Klara Carolan

Age: 19

From: Bailieborough

Sponsor: Coolrite

Occupation: Music student in Trinity College Dublin

Hobbies: Playing music

Klara lives “smack bang” in the middle of Bailieborough with her father Kevin, mother Gail and sister Coralee. Her family are “deeply rooted” in music.

A “familiar face” on the national stage, Klara appeared on TG4’s Réalta agus Gaolta with her father Kevin.

A well-known performer from the Streets of Galway to Grafton Street, Klara is “deeply committed” to preserving and evolving Irish folk music for the future through the release of her original songs, passion for authentic storytelling and deep roots in the Irish music scene.

Klara finds “great appreciation” in sharing her love for music with the next generation and often mentors young children to help them find their own confidence.

She is “honoured” to represent her family, friends and hometown in this year’s Cavan Rose selection, and sees the Rose of Tralee as a “wonderful opportunity” to celebrate her county.

“It would be the honour of a lifetime to represent the Breffni county in Tralee.

“I’d love nothing more than to bring a bit of ‘Ceoil agus Craic’ to the big stage and make my family and hometown proud.”

Caoimhe Cusack

Age: 22

From: Ballyjamesduff

Sponsor: Smith Property

Occupation: General Nursing Intern in ATU Donegal

Hobbies:

Jiving, the gym, walking, travelling and spending time with family and friends

Caoimhe is the daughter of John and Joanne Cusack, and she shares a close bond with her younger brother, Seán.

In her final year of nursing, Caoimhe is completing her internship at Letterkenny University Hospital and is set to qualify this September.

She would like to further her studies with a postgraduate qualification in respiratory nursing.

Caoimhe has “always wanted” to be a nurse since helping care for her father when she was younger.

“I couldn’t imagine working as anything else,” she confirms.

Deeply rooted in her community, Caoimhe’s family are heavily involved in Castlerahan GAA, where her younger brother plays underage football and her dad coaches underage teams.

Caoimhe recently represented her club in “D Kube” fundraiser hosted by Maghera MacFinns, describing it as a “fun experience” and a “good laugh” with the new people she met along the way.

She feels it would be an “honour” and a “privilege” to represent Cavan in the Rose of Tralee.

“To have even gotten this far is a dream but I can only imagine the fun and excitment after is phenomenal,” Caoimhe enthuses.

Ellie Daly

Age: 24

From: Lavey

Sponsor: P. Goodison Plumbing & Heating

Occupation: English and Music teacher in Breifne College, Cavan

Hobbies: Music, walking and spending time with family and friends

Ellie is the daughter of Michael and Colette Daly. She has two brothers, Conor and Oran, and a sister, Annie.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in English and Music from Maynooth University, she went on to complete a Masters in Education from the University of Galway.

A secondary school teacher, Ellie “strongly believes” that teachers play a “vital role” in children’s lives and she is “passionate” about making a “positive impact” in the classroom.

Ellie, who values the sense of community in her school, enjoys “immersing” herself in school life, sharing her knowledge and encouraging her students to “reach their full potential”.

“I can’t wait to meet new people through this experience and make lasting friendships,” she says.

Elle Denning

Age: 21

From: Killinkere

Sponsor: Sunny Hollow Community Creche

Occupation: Works in Sunny Hollow Community Creche

Hobbies: Going for walks, the gym, trying out new coffee places and shopping

Shortly after finishing her Leaving Cert in 2022, Elle’s mam passed away in July of that year. She decided to study pre-teaching primary and post primary in Cavan Institute because of the “difficult times” she faced that year.

“Part of the reason I decided to do this was due to her as she would have loved nothing more than seeing me put myself forward for such an amazing opportunity,” she says of her decision to enter the selection for Cavan Rose.

In her spare time, Elle likes to spend time in the gym as it has “really boosted” her confidence in the past couple of years.

After completing the year in Cavan Institute, Elle decided that childcare could be the “best route” for her at the time, with a view to eventually getting into teaching.

She completed a Level 5 in Early Learning and Care in 2024, and got a full-time job in Sunny Hollow Community Creche where she still works now.

She has also completed a Level 6 in Early Learning and Care, and is starting a Level 8 course in September.

“Although I took a long route, I know I will get there in time and, what is for me will not pass me,” she says.

Chloe Martin

Age: 24

From: Canningstown

Sponsor: Off the Rack

Occupation: Hairdresser in Classic Style Cootehill

Hobbies: Singing, country music and dancing

Chloe is the daughter of Ernest and Iris Martin. She has one sister, Diane, and two brothers, Evan and Darren.

In 2022, Chloe took part in First Dates Ireland, which she described as a great experience and “good craic”.

Chloe completed a two year hairdressing course in Cavan Institute before she started working in Classic Style Cootehill, where she loves chatting to her clients and seeing them leave “with a smile on their face”.

A “country girl at heart”, at the weekend you’ll find Chloe having the craic on a dance floor jiving and line dancing, usually to Jimmy or Claudia Buckley.

Every year, she sings in the Knockbride Variety Show with her sister, which she loves.

From watching the Rose of Tralee with her mam every year growing up, Chloe is “so excited” to be taking part in this year’s Cavan Rose selection.

“It’ll be an experience to remember,” she enthuses.

Eadaoin McDermott

Age: 26

From: Ballinagh

Sponsor: Trevor Scott Plumbing

Occupation: General nurse

Hobbies: Playing football and camogie

Eadaoin is the daughter of Jarlath & Mary McDermott, and is the youngest of four siblings; her sister Aoife and her brothers Niall and Conor.

Eadaoin’s granny, Tessie McDermott, was the district nurse for Ballinagh.

An agency nurse with Nurse on Call and Scottish Nursing Guild, Eadaoin moves between Cavan General Hospital and Mullingar Regional Hospital.

Eadaoin “always liked caring for people” and enjoys meeting new people and doing something different every day at work.

“You never know what kind of shift you’ll have,” she says of her work.

As well as playing football and camogie with Ballinagh, Eadaoin loves to bake and travel. She has recently moved home after living in Vancouver for the past two years.

“I’m looking forward to the night ahead and to meeting all the other contestants,” she says of the selection process.

Emma Morris

Age: 18

From: Drumgoon

Sponsor: Kolbe Transport

Occupation: Bachelors in Education in Marino Institute studying Primary Education and part-time cleaner in Cavan General Hospital for ISS Facility Services

Hobbies: Gaelic football, camogie, piano, drawing and spending time with family and friends

Emma is the only daughter of Martin and Nuala Morris, and has two brothers.

She is in the first year of her degree to qualify as a primary school teacher.

With a passion for helping children achieve their full potential, Emma thinks that teaching is “such a rewarding job”.

“Allowing children to have a voice in my classroom is very important to me,” she explains.

Emma also loves her part-time work as a cleaner in Cavan General Hospital, which has really brought her out of her shell and she has made friends from all across Cavan at work.

Emma says it would be a “privilege” to represent her county, parish and family as the Cavan Rose.

“Since I was a child, I have always watched the Rose of Tralee, admiring the young women making their communities and families proud,” she says of the festival.

Andrea Murphy

Age: 23

From: Mullagh

Sponsor: Mullagh Fair Day

Occupation: Works in her family’s business, Murphy’s Florist and part-time student in Ballyhaise Agricultural College

Hobbies: Agriculture, sports, going to the gym, socialising with friends

Andrea is the daughter of Fergus and Bernie Murphy. She has an older brother and sister.

She works alongside her mother in the florist, reflecting her “deep-rooted” values of family, community and commitment.

Andrea is also actively involved in agriculture, working with progressive genetics in milk recording and spending her evenings relief milking with Farm Relief Services (FRS), demonstrating her strong work ethic and passion for farming.

A keen sportswoman, Andrea plays with her local club, CLG Cúchulainn.

In 2025, Andrea was crowned Queen of the Fair at Mullagh Fair Day, a title she holds with “great pride and appreciation”.

Inspired by her childhood years of helping her grandmother, Mary Murtagh, on the family farm, Andrea continues to develop her passion for agriculture as a part-time student in Ballyhaise Agricultural College.

She plans to progress to a Level 8 degree in Sustainable Agriculture from DKIT once she has completed her studies in Ballyhaise.

Taking part in the selection process for this year’s Cavan Rose has been an “incredibly rewarding experience” for Andrea, giving her the opportunity to make new friends across the county.

Becoming the Cavan Rose would be a “tremendous honour” for her, allowing her to represent her county, club, family and friends “with pride”.

Gráinne O’Reilly

Age: 21

From: Killeshandra

Sponsor: O’Reilly O’Byrne Construction Ltd

Occupation: Final year nursing student in Queen’s University Belfast and a part-time volunteer at CUAN Cancer Support Centre Cavan

Hobbies: Playing Irish traditional music, farming, singing, playing rugby and spending time with family and friends

Gráinne is the daughter of John and Catherine O’Reilly. John is a farmer and building contractor and Catherine is a childminder.

She plays the traditional Irish flute and grew up singing and playing Irish music with her twin sister, Saoirse, and three brothers, Michael, Seán and Aidan, which she says really brought the siblings together and made them closer over the years.

She particularly loves to sing and play music at sessions where people can come together to share music and stories with each other.

Growing up in a family of seven, Gráinne’s house has “never been short” of love, laughter and lots of noise.

“Between roaring cows and screaming children, our house can be heard across Killeshandra,” she jokes.

As a final year nursing student, Gráinne is “truly passionate” about nursing as it allows her to combine her knowledge and compassion to help people in a “meaningful” way.

Through her studies and placements, she has gained experience in a variety of healthcare settings and has met people from “all walks of life”.

“I really enjoy meeting new people and listening to their stories,” she says of nursing.

Welcoming and supporting service users as a volunteer with CUAN, Gráinne has learned the importance of listening and how “even one conversation” can make a “positive” difference.

“CUAN is such a warm and welcoming place, and I feel lucky to have met so many inspirational people there,” she praises the service.

Gráinne believes it would be a “great honour” to represent her county in the Rose of Tralee.

“Growing up in Cavan has given me a strong sense of pride and belonging, and I truly value the warmth and friendliness of my community.”

Leah Rudden

Age: 21

From: Stradone

Sponsor: RR Alarms & Security Solutions Ltd

Occupation: Final year Geography and History student in DCU

Hobbies: Irish history, camogie and travelling

Leah is the daughter of Ronan and Catherine Rudden.

She has “always had a love” for Irish history, which she got from her dad, who has a particular interest in local history.

She has spent the past two summers in New York, playing camogie and making lots of new friends from all over the world.

Leah hopes to become a secondary school teacher, and is due to start a Professional Master of Education in September.

She is “grateful” for the opportunity to represent herself, her family and her county in this year’s selection for Cavan Rose.

“I’m proud to be taking part in the 2026 Cavan Rose selection and to be part of such a great group of girls.”

Rebecca Skelly

Age: 23

From: Munterconnaught

Sponsor: Lakeland Dairies

Occupation: Final year law student in Maynooth University and a qualified personal trainer

Hobbies: Baking, fitness and the gym, travelling and going to new places

Rebecca is the daughter of Frank and Jackie Skelly, and she has a younger brother and sister Ronan and Clara, who are twins.

A final year law student, Rebecca loves her course and is “passionate” about law.

An avid traveller, Rebecca’s biggest travel goal is to go to Japan.

A qualified personal trainer since 2023, Rebecca also loves baking and regularly makes occasion cakes for family and friends.

With seven Ulster titles in set dancing to her name, Rebecca is “no stranger” to being on stage.

Rebecca feels it would be an “honour” to represent her county and local parish of Munterconnaught as the next Cavan Rose.

“If selected, I would love to be a strong role model for younger girls to look up to, embodying kindness, confidence and ambition, and to show them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to while still staying true to themselves,” she says.

Caoimhe Smith

Age: 21

From: Shercock

Sponsor: Aqua Restaurant Howth

Occupation: Final year agricultural science student in UCD, specialising in animal science

Hobbies: Music, singing and dancing

Caoimhe is the daughter of Charlie and Josephine Smith, and she has one brother, Cathal. Her family have a farm just outside of Kingscourt.

Growing up with a love for farming and animals and a “strong connection” to rural life, Caoimhe’s agricultural science studies have helped her develop a “deep passion” for the agricultural industry and the “vital role” it plays in our communities.

Her interest in horses and horse riding has also “shaped” her character and ambitions.

“I am a kind, bubbly and enthusiastic person who enjoys bringing positive energy to everything I do,” she says.

Her hobbies; music, singing and dancing, have helped her grow in confidence and creativity, while allowing her to connect with people from “all walks of life”.

Caoimhe believes these qualities, along with her “genuine warmth and approachability”, would enable her to represent Cavan with “pride, authenticity and spirit”.

“Becoming the Cavan Rose would be an incredible opportunity for me to celebrate and promote the values that are so important to me; community, culture and agriculture, while also getting to meet great people,” she explains.

“I believe I would be a strong ambassador for Cavan.”