DONEGAL Rose Emma Nelis did her county proud as she appeared on the Rose of Tralee selection last night.
Emma is 24 years old from Gartan and teaches History and English in Errigal College, Letterkenny.
She was the final Rose to take to the stage on the first selection night and she spoke of her love for her home county in her interview with host Dáithí Ó Sé.
Wearing a stunning pink gown, Emma told of Gartan’s special history as the birthplace of St Colmcille.
She explained how Gartan clay, which can be sourced through the local Friel family, gives protection against fires and drowning, and she offered to gift some to Dáithí.
Emma also delved into her strong family ties with Glenveagh Castle, where her mother Mary has worked for almost 50 years.
The family lived in the castle for 16 years after they were invited by the last owner, Henry McIlhenny, and moved to their home in Gartan three years before Emma was born.
As Emma told the Donegal News before leaving for Tralee, the family have left their mark on Glenveagh, with her siblings’ Spice Girls and wrestling stickers left behind on the inside of presses in the castle.
Emma herself describes Glenveagh as a “home away from home” and works there herself as a tour guide.
She gave a shoutout to her local GAA club CLG An Tearmainn, where she plays for the senior ladies team and coaches under-8 girls.
Emma shared that her Leaving Cert was cancelled in 2020 due to onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A lot of my students back in Errigal College will be like, “Miss, you didn’t do your Leaving Cert!’,” said Emma.
After school, Emma went on to study an undergraduate degree in History and English in University of Galway and obtained her Master’s degree in post-primary teaching from Hibernia College.
She now teaches in Errigal College and gave a shoutout to staff, students and Donegal ETB for their support on her Rose journey.
Emma was supported by family and friends in the Rose of Tralee Dome at MTU’s Kerry Sports Academy in Tralee.
She gave a special mention to her brother Michael, who was watching at home.
In 2009, Michael was knocked down in Letterkenny and suffered a brain injury which left him paralysed on his right side.
The family have received support from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABI) since.
“Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to have respite or carers come to the house to look after him, so they’ve been an unreal support to us,” said Emma.
Donegal Rose Emma Nelis pictured on stage at the Kerry Sports Academy, MTU jiving with Kevin Ross during the Rose of Tralee International Festival TV Rose Selection night on Monday, August 17. Photo by: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.
When asked by Dáithí if the Rose of Tralee has lived up to her expectations, Emma replied: “It has exceeded my expectations.
“Even walking in here today for rehearsals, I was like, ‘wow’, because when you watch it as a kid, it’s so surreal then being here.”
To round off the night, Emma and escort Kevin Ross performed a jive to ‘Stop the World’ by Declan Nerney.
Emma is one of 32 Roses from across Ireland and all over the world who are hoping to be crowned the 2026 Rose of Tralee.
Also flying the flag for Donegal is the UAE Rose Enya Crone, who will be interviewed onstage tonight.
Born and raised in Dubai, Enya’s mother Marie Dawson Crone (née Gallagher) comes from Knockastolar, Bunbeg, Gaoth Dobhair, while her father Chris Crone is from Australia.
There is great excitement in Gaoth Dobhair as 22-year-old Enya will proudly share her Donegal roots.
Melbourne Rose Mikaela Whitty also has ties to Donegal through her maternal grandparents, who both hail from Inishowen.
She has family stretching across the peninsula from Burt to the Illies.
Killea singer, David James has been chosen to perform the famous ballad ‘The Rose of Tralee’ to celebrate the finale.
The televised Rose Selection programme will continue tonight live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8pm, with the next Rose of Tralee to be crowned tonight.