THE communities of Gartan and Gaoth Dobhair are backing Rose of Tralee hopefuls Emma Nelis and Enya Crone as they prepare to take centre stage next week.
All 32 Roses came together for the first time in Trim this week as the Rose of Tralee International Festival gets underway.
The Donegal News recently caught up with Donegal Rose Emma Nelis, and the Gartan teacher said she’s “over the moon” to represent the county.
At the start of this week’s Rose Tour, Emma met up with the UAE Rose Enya Crone, who also has strong ties to Donegal.
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 onstage.
Despite growing up thousands of miles away in one of the busiest cities in the world, Enya and her family have maintained their connection to Ireland.
Enya spent every childhood summer in Gaoth Dobhair, and along with her sister she has kept Irish culture and traditions alive in Dubai through a shared love of Irish dancing.
The sisters became the first dancers from the United Arab Emirates to qualify and compete in the World Championships of Irish Dancing, and they have performed at events all around Dubai.
Enya recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Mathematics and Economics from University of York.
She also got to meet none other than Daniel O’Donnell at the Dunlewey Festival last week.
Enya was treated to a special send-off in Teach Hiúdaí Beag in Gaoth Dobhair where locals gathered to wish her good luck for the festival.
For her many friends and family connections in Gaoth Dobhair, there will be particular pride when Enya Crone walks on to the Rose of Tralee stage, bringing a little piece of Donegal with her.
Melbourne Rose, Mikaela Whitty, has also said she has “family stretching from Wexford to Dublin to Donegal”.
The Roses will be officially welcomed to Tralee tomorrow for the start of the 2026 Rose of Tralee International Festival.
The televised Rose Selection programme will air live across two nights on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next Monday and Tuesday from 8pm, with the next Rose of Tralee to be crowned on Tuesday night.
UAE Rose Enya Crone.