Grace by name and graceful by nature

Grace Farrelly was preparing to go to her Sociology lecture in Maynooth on Tuesday morning when the Celt called.

The newly crowned Cavan Rose from Shercock was slowing coming back down to earth after a whirlwind few days.

“It’s just been crazy,” said the English and Sociology student, still beaming from her victory at the Cavan Rose Selection Convention in the Hotel Kilmore on Sunday night.

She spent Monday at home with friends and family and a constant stream of well wishers calling to the family home. “There were so many people calling and my granny and grandad called as well,” said Grace, the daughter of Teresa and Padraig Farrelly, the latter a well known Cavan referee.

Outgoing Rose Tara Rogers from Knockbride is a near neighbour and she joined in the celebrations as well.

“The phone has been going non stop with people ringing and texting,” said a delighted Grace, who’s looking forward to getting stuck into the role of Cavan Rose over the Summer.

She turns 20 in July before she heads for Tralee in August for the Rose of Tralee Festival and her live, televised, on-stage interview with Dáithí Ó Sé in the Dome. The aspiring secondary school teacher is looking forward to her many engagements over the coming months, as well as the outfits, the fun and, best of all, making memories with Roses from all over Ireland and the world.

Grace is one of the youngest ever Cavan Roses and emerged victorious after a gruelling day of interviews and photo shoots, culminating with the on-stage segment of the show in the Kilmore.

Sponsored by Gray’s Quarries, Grace’s hobbies include singing, playing the piano, reading and going to the gym and she works part-time as a cleaner at Cavan General Hospital. Her performance of Doris Day’s ‘Dream a Little Dream’ in the Hotel Kilmore was one of the stand-out moments of the evening. She was one of 16 fabulous young women to represent their communities from all over the county.

WATCH - The moment Grace is announced as the winner!

Before handing over the crown, Tara Rogers said: “It has been my greatest honour and privilege to serve as the Cavan Rose.”

She thanked her friends and family, in particular her “rock”, her mother and her grandparents who passed away during her reign. She also acknowledged her sponsors and Laura and Sinead Galligan from the Cavan Rose Centre.

“Without you, Cavan Rose Centre would not be where it is today and the work you do for the centre does not go unnoticed. Your dedication and commitment to the centre is truly inspiring and I am honoured to have been a part of such a remarkable event,” said Tara.

She also thanked all her supporters over the past few years. “The memory of going down Main St Tralee during the ‘Rose Parade’ on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, and approaching Ashe St where Jack Macs Pub is located, and seeing it flooded with Cavan flags and happy heads of friends and family is a memory that will stick with me for the rest of my life,” she said.

“Thank you all for making the childhood dream of a little girl from Knockbride become a reality.”

To her successor, Tara had this advice: “Wear the sash with pride, honour the legacy of those who have come before you, and embrace every moment of this incredible experience. Your community is behind you, cheering you on every step of the way, and I have no doubt that you will represent Cavan with the same grace, dignity, and charm that defines this title and will do for generations to come.”

Laura Galligan, co-ordinator Cavan Rose Centre, thanked Tara for her work over the past few years. “Thank you for being an incredible ambassador for the county and for the Cavan Rose Centre. Your vibrancy, bubbly personality and calm attitude made you an incredible Rose.”

The Cavan Rose in 2014, Laura described the Rose of Tralee festival and the Rose family as “special and unique”.

Addressing the 16 Cavan Rose hopefuls, she said she had been “blown away” by them over the last few weeks during the selection process.

“You’re a fabulous group of women and each of you stand ten feet tall for being a rose tonight. You each have exceptional qualities as a person and as a friend to others. Your families I know are incredibly proud – as are Sinead and I. It has been amazing getting to know you all.”

Laura thanked all the sponsors including the Hotel Kilmore as host sponsors and remembered the late Ross Mealiff who passed away last year as a great supporter and friend to the Rose Centre.

She also thanked the judging panel was Maria Walsh, Fine Gael MEP and Rose of Tralee from 2014.

Ollie Turner was a most entertaining MC for the Cavan selection event, which was also attended by the 2022 Rose of Tralee Rachel Duffy.