The whole village got behind Offaly Rose Nicole Heffernan

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Offaly Rose Nicole Heffernan had the whole village behind her on Tuesday night (August 19) as she walked the Rose of Tralee stage in Kerry.

The event saw 32 International Roses from communities across Ireland and around the world coming together in Kerry Sports Academy at the MTU.

Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins was crowned 2025 Rose of Tralee, marking a historical first for the county.

Killeigh native Nicole joined host Dáithí Ó Sé in part two of Tuesday nights rose selection ceremony, where she gave a charismatic and very natural interview, much to the delight of her many supporters.

"I don't know [if any one is at home]. There will be a crowd in the local pub, Grennans," Nicole said. "We might be a small village, but we're mighty craic."

In attendance on the night were Nicole's grandparents Anne and Paddy McKenna, along with numerous others from her native Killeigh.

"They've always been there," Nicole said, speaking about her beloved grandparents. "I don't want to sound too soppy, but I think I need them as much as they need me. They're great, they're genuinely my life."

A teacher by profession, she will begin a Master’s at the University of Limerick this September, something she is extremely excited about.

"I went to college in Galway and did Arts, worked for a year, it wasn't for me. Then I travelled for a year, came back and I felt a bit lost - which was fine.

"I decided to try sub-teaching in the local school. Started, got full hours, loved it. So now I start my Masters in 2 or three weeks!"

The Killeigh native credited her new found confidence to her career in teaching.

"I wasn't always as confident as I am now," she said, "I was always nervous, but I think teaching probably brought it out of me.

"It probably gave me the confidence to do the Offaly selection, because standing up in front of 30 girls is quite scary. I'd be more scared doing that than standing up here!"

Nicole shared her close connection with Tyrone Rose Clóideach Donaghy, noting that they were like "two peas in a pod".

"You just click with some people, and I think I just clicked with her. I think she's rubbing off on me because I'm talking like her... I think she's fairly fond of me."

Giving advice to anyone who may be considering applying for the Rose of Tralee in the future, Nicole said: "We all have our sad moments, and everyone goes through hardship in life.

"It's important to let yourself be sad, but it's important to pick yourself back up. You'll be able."

Another local connection was Tullamore's Jordan Lynam, a 25-year-old Account Manager, who was escorting Carlow rose Katie Ryan, was one of three Rose Escorts shortlisted for Rose Escort of the Year.

More than 100 men aged between 21 and 31 applied to become Rose Escorts at this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival and following a detailed interview process, the final 32 were selected to take part in a Boot Camp Weekend in Kerry to help them prepare for a busy week at the Festival.