Roses Gráinne and Leah among the pick of the bunch
By Róisín McManus
It was a fashion parade like no other as dozens of dresses and suits descended on the Dome in Tralee on Monday night as the first 18 Roses took to the stage at the 2026 Rose of Tralee.
The Kerry Sport Campus at Munster Technological University (MTU) was a sea of colour with flags representing counties across Ireland and countries as far as America and Australia. There was a palpable sense of excitement in the air among friends and family who had travelled from far and wide to cheer on the Roses and their Escorts.
Cavan Rose Gráinne Burns and Monaghan Rose Leah Murphy both appeared on Monday night’s show, which opened with the Rose Buds and Buddies making their way through the crowd alongside hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas.
Leah was the first to make her appearance on stage, and she was well greeted by her huge group of supporters, including “everyone” from Emyvale.
Prompted by Dáithí, Leah told the crowd the story of her being named the ‘Rose of Covid’ during the pandemic, when a group of people came together to make their own event.
“Honoured to be here again,” Leah joked.
A Gaeilgeoir, Leah spoke to Dáithí in Irish and English, and told him why she decided to go to an Irish-speaking secondary school, despite not having gone to a bunscoil.
“It was the school,” Leah praised Coláiste Oiriall.
“The atmosphere that they created in the school, I just knew I needed to be a part of it, and I’m so grateful that I did.
“I love the Irish language and that’s where it began.”
Leah’s time on stage ended with a quick game of catchphrase as gaeilge with Dáithí.
Gráinne Burns was introduced by Master of Ceremonies Carl Mullan as having been named the Cavan Rose at a Mini Rose of Tralee night 20 years ago.
Sitting directly behind the Rose Escorts, this reporter heard first-hand the cheers of ‘Up Cavan’ coming from the Cavan crowd in the front rows.
An avid crafter, Gráinne presented Dáithí with a red rose she had crocheted for him.
The Cavan Town woman had originally applied to be Cavan Rose in 2020 and then, with her moving away to Vancouver in later years, she wasn’t sure she would get the opportunity again.
But this year, with some encouragement from former Cavan Rose Laura Galligan in the Cavan Rose Centre, she decided to go for it.
“I’m so happy that I did, and I’ve made some amazing friends here,” Gráinne enthused.
“It’s surreal, it’s hard to explain.”
A huge fan of Irish writer Claire Keegan, Gráinne was personally invited to her two-day writing masterclass in Belfast later this year, and the acclaimed author also sent Gráinne her best wishes.
At the time of going to print, the Roses were ironing their sashes and getting ready for the second selection night and the coronation of the Rose of Tralee 2026.
If you haven’t already heard the news, check out the Celt website.
* For the full post-show interview with Gráinne and Leah and all the colour from the Cavan and Monaghan camps in Tralee, see next week’s edition of The Anglo-Celt.