Westmeath Rose crowned winner of the Rose of Tralee

Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh, a 25-year-old from Westmeath, has been named the winner of the 2023 Rose of Tralee festival. The two-night event took place in Kerry, where she outshone 31 other Roses. At the ceremony, she received her sash from last year's champion, Kathlyn Cummins, a woman from Laois. Now, Caoilfhinn joins the list of 66 International Roses.

Speaking to co-host Kathryn Thomas, Caoilfhinn expressed her gratitude to her fellow Roses, saying she couldn't have achieved this without them. She is currently a retail worker and a student aspiring to become a wig maker. This career choice was motivated by her personal experience of losing her hair to alopecia when she was 15. On Monday night, Caoilfhinn shared her journey with the audience, stating she didn't want people to pity her, emphasizing that alopecia is more than just hair loss.

She also founded The Hair Loss Haven, a support group that organizes events and meet-ups for individuals affected by hair loss. During her appearance on the Rose of Tralee stage, Caoilfhinn used her platform to raise awareness about alopecia, showcasing her favorite wigs before revealing her bald head. Her emotional performance earned her a standing ovation from the audience.

Caoilfhinn will now don the Rose of Tralee crown, which was introduced in 2014. The tiara, crafted by Tipperary Crystal, features 44 hand-cut glass crystals representing the rose's petals and symbolizing the festival's global presence. Her triumph was announced live on RTÉ One by Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas, with viewers tuning in from various countries including Australia, Tanzania, Canada, and the United States.

This year's festival brought together 32 International Roses, who spent five days participating in Tralee's Féile Trá Lí celebrations, enjoying festivities like street parades, music, and entertainment.