A thorny task for Cavan Rose selectors

Sixteen ladies vie for Rose crown and sash

Sixteen hopeful Cavan women hope to represent the county in the next Rose of Tralee competition. The selection night will take place in the Hotel Kilmore this Sunday, April 21, when current Cavan Rose Tara Rogers, a primary school teacher from Knockbride, will hand over the crown and sash. Reporter GEMMA GOOD spoke to each Rose hopeful ahead of the competition on why they think they should be the next Cavan Rose...

Chloe Carleton

Age: 22

From: Cootehill

Sponsor: Amsha Bridal

Occupation: Third year Health Science and Physiology student in ATU. During the weekends, she works in EMCA office and the Side-Street café in Cootehill.

Hobbies: Horse riding, taking care of her three donkeys, music, reading and spending time with her friends and family.

Chloe is the daughter of Olivia and Warren Carleton from Cootehill and has one brother Evan.

With a “big interest in the health care sector”, Chloe hopes to pursue a career in occupational therapy.

“I would be honoured to represent Cavan in the Rose of Tralee,” she said.

“I always thought the women who were there were an amazing representation of what us women are about.”

“To even be this close is so exciting and I can’t imagine the craic that’s still to come,” she beamed.

Amy Clinton

Age: 19

From: Crosserlough

Sponsor: Kiernan’s Spar

Occupation: Student social care worker, Bachelor of Arts Student in Professional Social Care in SETU Carlow.

Hobbies: Playing camogie with Crosserlough, reading and walking.

Amy is currently in the second year of her degree and is looking forward progressing onto the final years of her degree. She is the daughter of Padraig and Suzanne Clinton and has one older sibling.

“It’s just my personality and I want to support people,” she said, describing her decision to study social care.

“I love it,” she said.

“It would be a privilege to represent both my family and county as the Cavan Rose at the Rose of Tralee festival,” she said.

“From encountering new people to travelling, it would be a truly rewarding experience.”

Michella Cundelan

Age: 19

From: Bailieborough

Sponsor: O’Reillys Precast

Occupation: Healthcare Assistant at St Joseph’s Nursing home in Virginia, Student in nursing in Sligo.

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends.

Michella considers herself a “strong team player” who is “not afraid” to get her hands dirty, an attribute learned from tying steel in O’Reilly’s Precast. She decided to pursue nursing as she always enjoyed caring for her grandmother and her sister who has cerebral palsy.

“It was just something that I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. “I love it.”

Michella is the eldest in her family with two brothers and two sisters. She is the daughter of Philomena and Stephen.

“It would be such an honour to represent Cavan at the Rose of Tralee,” she said.

“If I was lucky enough to be chosen I would be so excited to share my news with all people I care for in the nursing home who have shared this journey with me.

“It would be a dream come true.”

Chloe Duke

Age: 20

From: Lavey

Sponsor: Romar Energy

Occupation: Irish and Music student in DCU, waitress at the Meadow View in Cavan.

Hobbies: Football, music and going to the gym.

Teaching the future generations of Ireland “always has been a dream” for Abbie. She plays multiple instruments including the piano, guitar, tin whistle and also loves to sing. Abbie was encouraged to apply to be the Cavan Rose after participating in the Ramor Strictly Come Dancing competition, an experience she loved.

“It was the best experience of my life, the friends I made there are friends for life, and I know this will be the very same”

She is the youngest of three siblings Karl, Enya and Caitlin and daughter of Patricia and Philip.

Her mother was the Cavan Rose twice and her cousin, Ciara Cunningham, also represented the county in the competition in 2013.

Having watched the Rose of Tralee competition since she was “a little girl” Abbie said: “I’ve been brought up with it... It would be an honour to represent my county and family for Rose of Tralee, an event that is monumental all over Ireland.”

Lauren Dunne

Age: 29

From: Lavey

Sponsor: Dunne Agri

Occupation: Payroll Agent at KBG Accountants Cavan. Also works part time with local auctioneer, Charles J. Clerkin. Currently completing a Diploma in Profession Payroll Management.

Hobbies: Cooking, baking, traveling, hiking and any outdoor activities.

Lauren fundraises for different charities each year to raise funds and awareness to their services. She is currently training for the Dublin marathon in aid of Beaumont Hospital. Her most recent fundraiser was a sky dive for Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland. She said her local community “suffered a lot during Covid” with 12 families affected by suicide. She wanted to bring charities who help “to the forefront.”

“I think it really did help the community a lot,” she said.

Lauren is the youngest of three siblings and is the daughter of Phelim and Anne Dunne

Of her decision to contest for the Cavan Rose she said: “I have fond memories of watching the Rose of Tralee over the years, admiring the young women making their family and communities proud.”

Rachael Dunne

Age: 23

From: Oghill Ballinagh

Sponsor: Ashgate attics

Occupation: Pharmacist and waitress

Hobbies: Sports, walking, reading, singing.

Rachael graduated with a City and Guilds diploma in dental nursing. She volunteers for Pieta House, an organisation that “means a lot” to her. She is the daughter of Paula McGavin Dunne and Bernard Dunne.

“Entering the Cavan Rose has been such an enjoyable experience with such an amazing group of girls and I’ve loved meeting new people and making new memories with them,” she said.

“It’s more about just trying something new, something out of my comfort zone.”

“It would be such a huge privilege to represent my county and my family in the Rose of Tralee this year.”

Grace Farrelly

Age: 19

From: Shercock

Sponsor: Grays Quarries

Occupation: Arts student Maynooth University studying English and Sociology, part time cleaner at Cavan General Hospital.

Hobbies: Singing, playing the piano, reading, and going to the gym.

Grace hopes to become a secondary school teacher when she finishes her studies. She really enjoys spending with kids and thinks “teachers are such an important part of your life and your school experience”.

“I’d really like the help kids have a good start. “I think it’s a very rewarding job.”

She loves her job in Cavan hospital and says “it has really helped her social skills as well as meeting new people and making new friends”.

Grace is the daughter of Padraig Farrelly and Teresa O’Callaghan Farrelly, she has two brothers.

“If I was to become the Cavan Rose for 2024, I would be honoured to represent the people of Cavan and make Cavan and my family proud, it’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing and now have the opportunity to try.”

Chloe Finnegan

Age: 23

From: Kingscourt

Sponsor: Cabra Castle Hotel

Occupation: Social Science Student at Maynooth University, she is currently on placement as a social worker at Tusla and as a Probation Officer in Drogheda and Dundalk area. Chloe will start a full-time position as a Child Protection Social Worker at Tusla upon graduation.

Hobbies: Spending quality time with her loved ones, trying out new restaurants and going to the gym

Chloe is the eldest of three in her family. For her, helping people is a “daily job” which she adores. She has recently completed a half marathon with her mother, Lorraine, and the two are preparing for the full Dublin Marathon in October in aid of The Gavin Glynn Foundation. Chloe’s father Stephen passed away when she was six years old. She described him as a “very determined, kind and headstrong man”.

“I feel like I’ve got all those qualities from him.”

“It would be my absolute pleasure and honour to represent Cavan in this year’s Rose of Tralee.”

“I want to celebrate all women in this year’s Rose of Tralee and I hope to make my family and community proud whilst doing so.”

Chloe looks forward to “meeting new faces and making memories” at the Cavan selection, which she said will be “an unforgettable experience”.

Megan Flemming

Age: 23

From: Ballyjamesduff

Sponsor: The High Stool Bar

Occupation: Waitress at The High Stool Bar, works part time in an accountant’s office

Hobbies: Music, literature, and a deep love for animals.

Megan is a law graduate from NUIG and plans to further her studies to follow in her mother Breda’s path and become a solicitor. Megan thrives in her role at The High Stool, a beloved pub in her community, where she stays busy serving pints and adores engaging with regulars on a variety of topics.

She is the daughter of Noel and Breda and grew up with her four sisters.

“I grew up watching the Rose of Tralee and deciding to take part in the Cavan Rose selection 2024 is something I’m very proud to do.”

Emma Guilfoyle

Age: 22

From: Ballyhaise

Sponsor: The Oak Room Restaurant

Occupation: Masters for education student, aspires to become a primary school teacher. Emma is currently a waitress in The Oak Rooms

Hobbies: Singing and dancing.

Emma helps out at children’s dance classes with The Performance Academy in Cavan which is where her interest in teaching developed.

“It’s quite rewarding to see how you can bring them along with you,” she said.

“Teachers are doing a lot more than just teaching, they are there for the kids that need it.”

Emma is the daughter of Keith and Carol Guilfoyle, she has one older brother who lives in Australia.

Of the decision to put her name forward for the competition she said: “I just thought why not, I’ll go for it.”

“If I was lucky enough to be chosen to represent Cavan in the Rose of Tralee I would make sure to make my county and family proud and make the most of this amazing opportunity,” she said.

Meibh McDonnell

Age: 22

From: Bunnoe

Sponsor: Errigal Country House Hotel

Occupation: Music and Religion teacher in Grange Community College, north Dublin.

Hobbies: Camogie, football and music.

“I have been fortunate enough to blend my passion for music with my amazing community by starting up the Bunnoe Youth Choir.”

“I get to live the best of both worlds,” she said.

Meibh is the daughter of Fiacra and Catherine, she has two brothers and one sister - all of whom will be supporting her on her.

“I’m really excited for the journey ahead and I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” she said.

Scarlett McCormack

Age: 19

From: Cootehill

Sponsor: Tullyvin Musical Society

Occupation: Music with Arts student in Maynooth University.

Hobbies: Singing, acting, dancing, reading, drawing and baking.

During the weekend, Scarlett teaches piano and guitar to children and teenagers. She is a member of Tullyvin Musical Society and also in the musical society in her university.

“I enjoy every lesson that I do,” she said.

“It’s really nice to see the involvement the students have and how they come on.”

She is the daughter of Pamela and Stephen McCormack, and has a sister named Grace. Her younger sister Amelie passed away two years ago.

“My sister Amelie’s presence was like a guiding light. She was like the family heartbeat. Losing her was like losing a piece of my own melody, but in that loss, I found a determination to live life in her honour. Her spirit continues to inspire me, driving me to pursue my passion for music with even greater fervour, knowing that she’s cheering me on from wherever she is now. In every note I play and every song I sing, I carry her memory, keeping her love for music alive.”

She added: “I would love to make Cavan, and my family and friends proud.”

Grace O’Gorman

Age: 24

From: Ballyhaise.

Sponsor: Shades Bar & Grill

Occupation: Home Economics and Irish teacher, teaching St Patrick’s College in Cavan since January.

Hobbies: Fashion and travel.

Grace was reared on a dairy and poultry farm in Ballyhaise with her parents Monica and Declan O’Gorman and her three siblings. Her love of travel has brought her to Italy, Malta, Copenhagen and interrailing across Europe starting in France and finishing in Croatia.

“I love listening to other languages,” she said, as an Irish teacher she promoted the Irish language while abroad and also tried to learn a cúpla focal on other languages.

“No matter where you go in the world you’ll find a Cavan connection,” she said, she described such people as having a smile, a friendly face and willing to have a chat.

“I think I’m a good representation of that,” she said, which is why she wanted to enter the Rose of Tralee competition.

“I have always loved watching the Rose of Tralee, it would be an incredible honour to represent Cavan and my family at the festival.”

Abbie Sexton

Age: 23

From: Cavan Town

Sponsor: Singer Cavan

Occupation: Full-time nursing student at King’s College London while also working part-time roles at an obstetrics clinic and a chemotherapy department in London. Previously worked part-time at College View Nursing Home.

Hobbies: Sports, she has represented Cavan in athletics and football and previously volunteered with local charity C.A.P.S.

Abbie is the daughter of Martin and Martina Sexton. She has two older siblings, Lauren who lives in Dubai and Mark who has just returned from Canada, and one younger brother Mark who lives in Cavan.

Nursing has always been a legacy in Lauren’s family, she had a great bond with her late grandmother Maureen Teevan who was a midwife in the Killeshandra area.

“I come from a long line of nurses,” she said, explaining her great grandmother, grandmother and aunt all chose the nursing profession.

“I don’t remember wanting to do anything else.”

For Abbie, entering the competition would be “a great opportunity to give thanks” to her family, friends and community who have supported her in her lifetime so far.

“I just want to make them all proud.”

Róisín Smith

Age: 25

From: Crosserlough

Sponsor: Kore Insulation

Occupation: Music and Irish teacher in Loreto College Foxrock.

Hobbies: music, singing, playing piano, guitar and ukulele. She loves animals, particularly dogs.

Róisín completed her Bachelor of Arts in Music and Nua-Ghaeilge before attaining her Professional Master in Post-Primary Education, both at Maynooth University. Through Crosserlough Choral Society she has raised funds for local charities.

Róisín loves the “full circle” feeling of being a teacher.

“I found when I was in a school I struggled with anxiety,” she said, explaining she “wanted to be that person” she needed while she was in school.

She particularly loves boosting people’s confidence through music.

She is the daughter of Tommy and Rose Smith and has two siblings.

“It would be a huge honour to represent my parish and county in such a renowned event if I am lucky enough to be chosen as the 2024 Cavan Rose.

“I look forward to making new memories and meeting new people through this experience.”

Kate Smyth

Age: 26

From: Mullagh

Sponsor: Imperial Bar

Occupation: Primary school teacher in a Gaelscoil in Swords, Co. Dublin.

Hobbies: Sea swimming, CrossFit, hiking and jiving.

Kate coaches the football and camogie teams in her school, with a fondness for wellbeing and is currently sitting a part-time masters in Trinity College Dublin (M.Oid san Oideachas lán-Ghaeilge agus Gaeltachta). She has a huge interest in volunteering and has travelled to Ghana and Argentina the past two summers to volunteer and work as a teacher.

Kate is the oldest daughter of Brenda and Pat Smyth with two younger siblings. She said teaching was. Here fifth choice on her CAO application having wanted to do speech and language therapy however said “as soon as I got into it, I couldn’t think of doing anything else.”

“It would be an absolute honour to represent my family and my county at the Rose of Tralee Festival this year.”