Caoilfhinn ‘not expecting’ to win 2026 Westmeath Rose

Rebekah O’Reilly

Mullingar native Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh has been crowned as Westmeath Rose 2026.

The 25-year-old impressed judges and audience members with her personal story and her work supporting people experiencing hair loss.

At the selection event before an audience of around 300 people in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone on Saturday, Caoilfhinn spoke openly about living with alopecia, a condition she has dealt with since she was 15 years old. She was sponsored by Halo Wig and Skin Studio.

Her experience inspired her to found The Hair Loss Haven, a support community for people experiencing hair loss. The group provides advice, support and regular meet-ups for members. Caoilfhinn is also studying to become a wig maker.

During her interview, she showed the audience a variety of wigs, even trying a couple on Galway Bay FM presenter and MC for the evening, Ollie Turner.

“I’m always rushing out the door, my boss knows this, so I can style my hair the night before,” she said. “I can be brunette one day, and blonde the next.”

Following her selection as Westmeath Rose, an emotional Caoilfhinn admitted she was taken by surprise by the result. “I wasn’t expecting it!” she said.

Outgoing Westmeath Rose, Grace O’Connor, reflected on her two years representing the county. “It’s a bittersweet feeling. The time absolutely disappeared. It’s been such a great experience,” she said.

Grace said contestants are made to feel special throughout the festival week. “You’re treated like a princess for the week. People look up to you, it’s the most heartwarming feeling in the world.”

The event also heard from current Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins, who described the annual festival as a unique experience. She admitted she had expected to be nervous on stage but found herself surprisingly calm.

“I thought I’d be a ball of nerves. Honest to God, on the day I didn’t even have a butterfly. All you see is a sea, you can’t even really see faces with all the lights and everything.”

Reflecting on the application process, she added: “The hardest part is putting yourself forward.”

Rose of Tralee CEO Anthony O’Gara praised the women taking part in the competition and the support shown by the local community.

“There are so many extraordinary women in our communities, and they should be celebrated,” he said. “I’m so proud to be in Westmeath, and to have so many people supporting extraordinary women.”

A total of 20 ladies put themselves forward for selection, presenting a range of talents from singing and jiving, to first aid and dressmaking.

The judging panel consisted former Rose Escort at the 2013 Rose of Tralee International Festival and eighth cousin of former US President Barack Obama, Henry Healy, former Offaly Rose Jackie McIntyre, and Niamh Kelly, director of Sales Radisson Blu Athlone. International Rose of Tralee Festival director of operations Steve Cronly and Lyn Moloney, Westmeath Rose coordinator, were also in attendance.

Caoilfhinn will now go on to represent Westmeath at the 2026 Rose of Tralee Festival, taking place in Kerry from Friday August 14 to Tuesday August 18.