Westmeath Rose to appear on stage at Tralee tonight

Tonight the Westmeath Rose, Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh will be taking to the stage down in Tralee alongside other hopefuls hailing from Ireland and across the world.

Caoilfhinn set out on her tour late last week ahead of the festival. She and her fellow roses got the chance to travel to some of their home counties.

Caoilfhinn is an active member of the Mullingar community, she’s been flat out with preparations for the festival. On top of preparing, Caoilfhinn works full time, was taking part in a play and runs an organisation dedicated to spreading information on the supports available for people experiencing hair loss.

Chaoilfhinn was diagnosed with alopecia areata at 14 years old. A difficult age to experience such a life changing diagnosis but while she struggled, Caoilfhinn decided that she would be proud of her differences, she took part in shows, started the Hair Loss Haven, and of course, took on the title of Westmeath Rose.

“I talked about alopecia on selection night,” said Caolfhinn in an interview shortly after being chosen as Westmeath Rose.

“But also at the same time I don’t want to be known just for that, I want to show that while it is a big thing that has contributed to my confidence and why I went forward with this.”

And Caoilfhinn is still proud of her achievements, the talent portion of the competition will see a very special performance in reference to her alopecia which must not be missed.

The experience has been very important to her for other reasons as well, specifically when it comes to the friendships she’s built with the other roses from home and abroad.

In a more recent interview with the Westmeath Examiner Caoilfhinn discusses the bonds she's forged so far on the journey.

“I wanted to meet like minded people whether it was during my Westmeath selection night with those girls who are all amazing or these now selected Roses from their counties.

“And to have friends all over the world.

“There are girls from New Zealand, from America, from London, everywhere.

“It’s really nice having connections with the diaspora and the Irish community worldwide which is going to be really fun.”

Aside from her excitement to make connections across the world, she is an incredibly proud Mullingar woman.

“Being from Mullingar I’m very much intertwined with the community and the things that I do and that's what I wanted to bring to my Rose Journey and be a real grassroots salt of the earth type of girl because that’s what I am.”

Right now she is down in Tralee and tonight will be on the famous stage so for anyone looking for something to watch should make sure to tune in and support the Rose of Westmeath.