'There's such power in showcasing what makes us different,' says Rose of Tralee
2026 International Rose of Tralee Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh in Tralee Town Park. Picture: Domnick Walsh
The newly-crowned Rose of Tralee was a “bit apprehensive” to become “the rose with the wig”.
But after trying on her favourite wigs on stage and wearing her heart on her sleeve, she won over the Irish public.
Westmeath Rose Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh, aged 25, was crowned on the second televised night of the competition on Tuesday at the Kerry Sports Academy at MTU.
On Monday night, the public might have cheered the loudest for Caoilfhinn, after she opened up about being diagnosed with alopecia areata at 15.
The Mullingar native is balancing her work in retail with studies to become a wig maker.
As she swapped her brunette wig for blond locks, she explained: “I try to look on the bright side, I can change my hair whenever I want.
"I was able to swap my hair during the tour, and I could then be blonde whenever I wanted.”
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She recently co-founded support group The Hair Loss Haven, to ensure nobody has to navigate hair loss alone — curating networking events for women who have lost hair to both alopecia and cancer.
Throughout her rose journey, she was sponsored by co-founder and friend Saoirse Cleary, who owns the Halo Studio in Mullingar.
The morning after “Midnight Madness” and a rainy parade in the town centre, a proud Caoilfhinn was still on “cloud nine, floating through the emotions”.
By signing up for the contest, she hoped to make new friends.
Not only did she win the crown, but she also now has “31 amazing new sisters”.
“Getting new friends out of this experience, that's what I've really been enjoying out of it all and obviously this is a great plus too, but I'm absolutely delighted to have been part of the 2026 class of roses,” she told RTÉ radio.
The young rose said she never hid her alopecia.
Instead, she always surprised people by sharing she was wearing a wig whenever someone complimented her hair.
"It's OK to talk about it the same way people do when they say they have hair extensions or when they say they’re going to get their hair done," she said.
“I wanted the same experience for people going through hair loss to be able to talk about their wigs in that way and not feel like it's something that they need to hide,” she added.
When it came to making her stage debut, she said she was a “bit apprehensive” about being the “rose with the wig”.
“I didn't want to be reduced down to that, but at the same time, I just kind of wanted to own it, because it is something that has really shaped who I am.
"I think it got to a point recently where I kind of just realised that there's such power in showcasing what makes us different,” Caoilfhinn said.
"We don't really think about maybe putting ourselves on a platform because we have nothing to say, but I was honestly surprised by how much I have impacted other people.”
Shortly after her big win, Caoilfhinn spoke to the and reminded every little girl out there to be their authentic self.
“Embrace your imperfections and never let someone dull your confidence and your sparkle because it definitely happened to me.
"And it took me a long time to try and get that back. And sometimes you do have to push, put yourself out of your comfort zone,” she said.
The Westmeath Rose said the contest, which was “exposure therapy to me on the highest degree”, also made her realise how resilient she is.
The crown was passed on by Katelyn Cummins, who was the first-ever Laois Rose to win the competition last year.
She had one piece of advice for the new Rose of Tralee — to enjoy every moment of this “once-in-a-lifetime experience”.
After winning, Caoilfhinn could not hold back her tears but was quickly embraced by her 31 fellow roses.
On her way to Denny St, she teared up as large crowds gave her a proper Tralee welcome.
“I'm quite an emotional person; I'm surprised I'm not crying now," she said.
"But I wear that as a badge of honour. I really do, because emotion is so powerful, and it's something that I think we shouldn't apologise for,” she had just told the .
As she was planning to attend Electric Picnic, she said she had no idea “her plans would include or involve” winning the contest.
“I know that the team behind the festival are going to really help guide me. I’m very lucky to have Rachel Duffy as a previous Westmeath Rose, very recent as well, who is going to be my guardian angel in navigating all of this,” she said.
On Tuesday, the Westmeath rose was second favourite, at 7/2, according to Paddy Power.
Following her appearance on the RTÉ show, she was inundated with praise — and was already described as a “worthy winner” on social media.
Ahead of night two, Rose of Tralee co-host Kathryn Thomas shared her standout moments from the Monday evening.
While she praised the youngest contestant, Cork rose Lexi Linnane, she also talked about the Westmeath rose.
"She was as amazing. Caoilfhinn, just literally taking off the wig, and I loved the fact that she didn't shave her head. She decided to leave it as it is. “Why bother? This is me”. I just thought she was incredible.”
More than half a million viewers watched the programme on RTÉ, as Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn revealed the winner.
Over the two nights, viewers were treated to memorable scenes, from Leitrim lilting, baton twirling, how to prepare a Derry chicken box, amazing singing, a Mayo jersey and the Sam Maguire cup, and a record-breaking outfit change from a ball gown into an Irish dancing dress.
The 32 Roses also notably talked about their experiences with grief and suffering from debilitating conditions.
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