Cork Rose: ‘Being yourself will get you far enough’

It will be case of ‘last one out, turn off the lights’ in the North Cork village of Meelin when all roads will lead to Tralee to support ‘our Nancy.’

“That’s what people are calling me and it’s so lovely to have that backing and support!” said Cork Rose, Nancy Lehane.

The 22-year-old primary school teacher is currently mid-way through the Rose Tour, which sees the Rose contestants from all over the globe travel around the country, meeting and greeting, before hitting Tralee.

The televised interviews, with Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas take place on Monday and Tuesday, but Nancy hasn’t even looked that far ahead yet, taking it all step by step and savouring each moment as it happens.

She knows what she’s wearing for her dome appearance (but is sworn to secrecy and will not reveal a single detail of her gown) and as an accomplished musician who sings at weddings, communions and gigs, she is pretty sure she’ll perform a song as her ‘party piece’ – but she doesn’t know what yet.

“I’m humming and hawing over a few and think it will just dawn on me last minute, which to go with!” she said.

That’s typical of Nancy, who is intent on taking the experience in her stride.

Since she was announced as Cork Rose in early June, she’s embraced every opportunity that’s come her way – and created plenty of her own.

“I’ve pretty much been flat out since becoming Cork Rose, with something Rose-related almost every other day. It’s been great,” she said.

She visited schools before the holidays, nursing homes, hospitals, private house visits, Charleville Show and Cork Show, to name just a few.

And more recently Nancy got to meet some of the other contestants at Killarney and Galway races and said everyone is already “gelling brilliantly”.

“The Queensland Rose has Meelin ancestry so we’ll have that in common! The feedback in every place has just been unbelievable. Everyone is just so genuinely excited for me, especially in Meelin where I’m being referred to as ‘our Nancy!’ My community means a lot to me, so to have that support feels incredible,” she said.

In fact her high point, so far, was the homecoming in Meelin after she won Cork Rose.

“I actually got quite emotional when I saw the crowds of people who were there to congratulate me. It can be hard to see it yourself when you’re caught up in it, but when you can see everyone else being so excited, you begin to appreciate what an achievement it really is,” she said.

Nancy had originally hoped her boyfriend, from Clare, might enter as an escort in the world-famous competition. It was only when he declined that she said she’d give applying to be a Rose a go herself.

“He’s still not sorry he didn’t enter,” she laughed, adding that of course he’ll be there to support her in the dome, along with her family (she is second eldest, and has four brothers.)

It’s a busy month for Nancy.

Besides the Rose of Tralee festival, she’ll be playing championship football with St Peter’s club and will be back at school in her role as a special education teacher in Newmarket NS.

Again, she’s totally unfazed.

“I mean, of course I’m going to be nervous when it comes to the on-stage interview, that’s only normal! But really, what I want to get across is that I’d have never, ever thought that I could be in a position like this. I don’t know why, but that’s how I felt. Now I want to show other young people that being yourself will get you far enough – after all, it’s got me this far!

“Kindness is also important and will always come back to you which I can see with the support of my community.

“The whole place, everyone, kids and adults, are on a pure high and it’s nice to know I can do that! I don’t think there’ll be anyone left in the village next week!” she said.

Rose of Tralee International Festival

The 2025 Rose of Tralee Rose Tour kicked off last Sunday week as the 32 International Roses came together for the first time in The Royal County, Meath. Other stops on the itinerary included Limerick and Kerry.

During the Tour, the 32 women visit local communities, iconic heritage sites, and participate in a series of cultural events.

Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas take over MTU’s Kerry Sports Arena to present the Rose of Tralee Selection Nights live on TV this August 18 and 19, with the 2025 Rose of Tralee being named on Tuesday night.

Cork Rose, Nancy, was tipped as the early favourite to win the competition with bookies.

A number of other women with links to Cork are also taking part in the event.

Aisling Guilfoyle, who will be representing Luxembourg, has ties to the Rebel County, as do the Philadelphia Rose, Shannon Emery, and Queensland Rose, Siobhán Edwards.

Four of the 32 escorts chosen to accompany the Roses at the festival hail from Cork.

It can be hard to see it yourself when you’re caught up in it, but when you can see everyone else being so excited, you begin to appreciate what an achievement it really is.