Ciara is crowned Cavan's Rose

The Hotel Kilmore was buzzing last night as Crosskeys lass Ciara Cunningham was crowned Cavan’s Rose of Tralee. Ciara - who is a trainee solicitor with Dublin firm A&L Goodbody - proved a popular winner with the large crowd attending the glitzy event.

Ciara, who is sponsored by cellMEDIA, will now go forward as the Cavan representative at the 2013 Rose of Tralee Regional Festival will take place at the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel, County Laois from Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 2. All of Cavan will be hoping Ciara makes it through to the Rose of Tralee Festival in Kerry this August. 

Taking over from the 2012 Cavan Rose, Alison Harpur from Shercock, Ciara hopes to play an active role in encouraging our diaspora to come home and join in the national celebration of The Gathering.

'2013 marks a significant year for Ireland,' she told the Celt in advance of Friday’s event. 'Opening its doors to thousands of people worldwide, The Gathering 2013 encourages the Irish diaspora to return home to their villages, towns and cities across the country. It is important for me to help in some way to promote our county and all it has to offer. Entering the Cavan Rose is a fantastic opportunity to further this goal.'