Roses and escorts on the road to Tralee

This weekend, the Cavan and Monaghan Roses will take the first step on their journey towards the Kingdom to participate in the 2026 Rose of Tralee.

Gráinne Burns from Cavan Town and Leah Murphy from Emyvale will begin an almost week-long tour around several counties in Ireland, kicking off in the Knightsbrook Hotel in Co Meath this Sunday, August 9, before reaching Tralee the following Friday, August 14, for the opening ceremony of this year’s festival.

There are also seven escorts representing counties Cavan and Monaghan this year; Oisín Kiernan of Ballymachugh, Conor Smith of Lavey, Gavin Brady of Redhills/Belturbet, Enda Shalvey of Maudabawn, Dave McKearney of Castleblayney, Shane McKenna of Truagh, and Shane Treanor from Scotstown.

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt, the two Rose hopefuls said they have had a whirlwind few months since being named the Cavan and Monaghan Roses in April. Last week, they spent a day with their fellow Roses at the Galway Races.

“There’s a lot going on so it’s been busy,” says Gráinne, who works as a medical lab aide in Cavan General Hospital.

The 28 year old, who is sponsored by Klass Cleaners, recently attended the Arva Show and held a table quiz fundraiser for Cavan Autism Parents Support (CAPS). She also went to the selection nights for the Westmeath and Leitrim Rose, where she got to meet many Roses from other counties.

“I wanted to make sure I got to some because it can be quite intimidating meeting such a big group of people all at once so it was nice to get to know the girls beforehand,” Gráinne explains.

Being named Cavan Rose has opened the door to new opportunities for Gráinne and has allowed her to meet many people.

She recently appeared on Cavan Online Radio with Paul Cox.

“As I was talking about it, I was getting more excited,” Gráinne recalls.

“The whole experience I’ve felt how happy everybody is for you.”

Gráinne will spend the coming days packing her bags to head down to Kerry.

A number of local Cavan businesses have kindly sponsored Gráinne with outfits; Vanilla Boutique and Darlynn, and Absolute Jewellery and Elegant Gems have sponsored her with jewellery. She has also received some jewellery from Rosie and Dott, which was founded by the 2011 Dublin Rose, Siobhéal Nic Eochaidh. The brand sponsored the 2026 Cavan Rose selection.

“Everybody has been so helpful and kind and supportive, which is so lovely to experience,” Gráinne praises.

Along with the two judging nights on Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18, Gráinne is really looking forward to experiencing the lead up to the festival.

Her family, including her three siblings, her fiancé and his family, and her friends will be proudly cheering Gráinne on in Tralee.

“I’m so happy and proud to be able to be the Cavan Rose for myself, my family, the county. The whole experience has been surreal up to now, I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like from now on.”

Farney hopes

Meanwhile, Leah describes the time since she was named Monaghan Rose as “crazy”.

“The amount of opportunities and things that I’ve been able to do since becoming Monaghan Rose has been phenomenal, meeting people that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet without being Rose,” says Leah, who is sponsored by Muineachán le Gaeilge.

The 25 year old, who works as an IT manager in Options Technology in Belfast, has similarly spent this time meeting different people and with various local organisations.

She ran a quiz night in Terry’s Bar in Monaghan for Crocus Monaghan, who are doing “remarkable” work for people and families struggling with a cancer diagnosis.

She recently attended the Castleblayney Show on Monday, August 3, as well as Muckno Mania and some Monaghan matches too.

For Leah and her family, being named the Monaghan Rose has been particularly special. Leah’s aunt Sinead was the Ulster Rose in 1991 but she sadly passed away in 1993.

“Hearing the stories from the family of her time in Tralee and her journey, I knew it was always something I wanted to enter,” Leah says.

“Even for people that would come up to our family on the street and tell them the impact that Sinead had and how much she’s missed was so special so I knew I’d always give the Monaghan Rose selection a go.”

She didn't expect to make it so far in the process. “It’s been a remarkable experience and I’m so honoured and so lucky to be able to experience something that she was once part of. It’s been an emotional but a very enjoyable experience for the whole family.”

Leah is “so proud” and “very excited” to be representing her home county.

“I still feel like I’m going to wake up some morning and it’s all going to be a dream,” she says.

“I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Asia and the US with my work and there’s just nowhere like the community in Monaghan.”

Before heading off on their nationwide Rose tour, Leah is going to spend a couple of days this week at the ongoing 2026 Fleadh in Belfast, where she lives.

“I think it’s so important to be able to celebrate the Irish culture and Irish traditional music in Belfast,” Leah says.

“The Irish trad scene is so big in Belfast so I think it’s great for them to have the opportunity to host the Fleadh and show what Belfast has to offer.”

Leah is looking forward to sharing the experience with her fellow Roses. She has received some outfits to wear from Mimi Boutique in Castleblayney and Ella Rose Boutique in Carrickmacross.

“I’m excited to have all of us together and to be able to experience the journey together, it’s so special and you always hear stories of how it is the best two weeks of your life so I’m really excited to see what’s in store,” Leah enthuses.

“I don’t know if there’ll be many people left in Emyvale,” she laughs.

Her family and friends will be joining her in Tralee, and for many of them it will be their second time at the event.

“Their once in a lifetime opportunity is actually happening twice, that’s so special so I’m looking forward to that.”