Louth women and men encouraged to apply for 2026 Rose of Tralee and Rose Escort roles

The search is now on for the 2026 Rose of Tralee — and young women and men from Louth are being encouraged to put themselves forward.

Roses and Rose Escorts gathered in Dublin to launch the nationwide and international search, encouraging young Irish women and men from Ireland and across the global Irish diaspora to step forward and represent their communities in one of Ireland’s most loved cultural festivals.

Present at the launch were Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins, Dublin Rose Edel Cronin and Wexford Rose Clíona O’Leary, alongside Rose Escorts Ted Lyons, Jordan Lynam, Patrick Jordan, Stephen Linnane and Conor McCabe.

With Rose Selections taking place across more than 30 Rose Centres in Ireland and around the world in the coming months, applications are now open for those who want to begin their own Rose journey, from first-time applicants to those encouraged by friends, family or their local community to take the leap.

Speaking at the launch, current Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins said the past few months has shown her just how wide-ranging and unexpected the experience can be:

“The Rose of Tralee has opened doors I never imagined, from travelling around Ireland and meeting people from every corner of the country, to now having the chance to represent the Festival on a completely different stage through Dancing with the Stars. The Festival allows you to fully immerse yourself in every experience you get offered, and to be fully yourself in every situation.”

“If you’re even thinking about applying, I’d say go for it. The friendships, the confidence you gain, and the sense of pride in representing where you’re from is something really special. ”

Rose Escort Jordan Lynam said the experience had far exceeded his expectations and encouraged more young men to put themselves forward this year:

“If you’re on the fence about applying, I was exactly the same, but saying yes to it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. The Rose Escort experience is about confidence, community and making friends.”

“People often think the Rose Escort role is just about Festival week, but it’s so much more than that. You get to represent where you’re from, travel, volunteer, and be part of something that actually matters. I’d encourage any young man who’s proud of his community to go for it. You don’t need to fit a mould, just bring yourself. The Festival celebrates personality, character and connection.”

“The friendships are what surprised me most. From day one, you’re part of a group that supports each other and has great fun doing it. A year on, we’re still inseparable. If you want to grow in confidence, meet brilliant people and have the craic along the way, go for it.”

For Wexford Rose Clíona O’Leary, the Rose of Tralee journey began far from bright lights and television cameras, on a family farm in rural Boolavogue, and she says that’s exactly why more women should consider applying.

“I never saw myself as someone who’d put my hand up for something like this,” she says. “I live at home on the farm, I’m studying sustainable agriculture, and my weekends usually involve Macra meetings, bingo nights or a dance floor somewhere in Wexford.”

Selected as the 2025 Wexford Rose while studying Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness at SETU Wexford, O’Leary says the Festival has reshaped her view of who the Rose of Tralee is for.

“There’s this idea that you have to be a certain type of person, but that just isn’t true. The Festival celebrates women who are proud of where they’re from and willing to put themselves out there.”

Actively involved in Macra and local voluntary groups, she says representing Wexford has been a source of real pride. Getting to represent my county has been incredibly special. You realise very quickly how much it means to people to see someone from their own community on that stage.”

Ireland’s flagship family festival, the Rose of Tralee International Festival, continues to grow year on year, welcoming more than 100,000 visitors to Tralee annually and reaching millions worldwide through television and social media during Festival week.

Each Rose selected will take part in the much-loved Rose Tour, showcasing Irish communities, culture and hospitality nationwide, before arriving in Tralee for five unforgettable days of parades, community events, gala functions, live entertainment and the iconic televised Rose Selection nights.

For those applying to become Rose Escorts, candidates will be invited for interview in April, with the successful gentlemen taking part in the famous team-building Boot Camp in June, enjoying some of Kerry’s most stunning locations and attractions. During Festival week in August, Rose Escorts will play an integral role in supporting the Roses and the wider Festival team, with highlights including Festival parades, live events and a packed programme of entertainment. One Rose Escort will also be announced as Rose Escort of the Year live on RTÉ television by Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas.

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Together, the Roses and Rose Escorts will take part in the action-packed Festival week and year-round activities, forming lifelong friendships while representing their communities at home and abroad.

Applications for the 2026 Rose of Tralee and Rose Escort of the Year are now open. A full list of Rose Selection events and application details can be found at www.roseoftralee.ie.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from August 14th-18th, 2026.