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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Kildare Rose Catherine Cunningham with Rose of Tralee co-host Daithí Ó Sé. Photograph supplied by Catherine Cunningham.
Kildare’s Rose for 2024 has referred to the contest as being 'a life-changing event' for her.
Back in June, Rathangan native Catherine Cunninham told the Leinster Leader that she 'still couldn’t believe' that she had been selected to represent her county.
The 24-year-old said at the time: "I walked into work at Turas Nua on Tuesday morning after the selection on Sunday night and it felt like I was living a real-life dream."
She added: "It is an honour to be selected to represent Kildare in the 2024 Rose of Tralee International Festival."
Now, Catherine has even more positive words to say about her time representing Kildare in the contest.
She told the Leader: "It is hard to put into words how I feel now that the Rose of Tralee Festival had ended.
"I honestly couldn’t be more proud of how I represented myself, my family, my community and everyone in Kildare."
'I HAVE GAINED SO MUCH CONFIDENCE IN MYSELF'
Catherine continued: "Now that the Festival has come to an end, I have no doubt that my Kildare Rose duties will still be very busy attending events and meeting new people!
"The Rose of Tralee Festival has been the most life changing event for me; I have made new friends from all over the world.
"I have gained so much confidence in myself and created memories that will never leave me."
She further said: "I was so grateful to have the Rose Tour starting in Kildare this year; everyone in Kildare came together to ensure all the Roses were looked after and felt welcomed, and I can not thank all the businesses enough for this.
"Into Kildare also ensured that we went to the most spectacular places in Kildare which ensured all the girls saw what an amazing county we have."
Catherine concluded: "Overall, the Rose of Tralee experience has been amazing, and it has made me realise to live in the moment and to enjoy everything life has to offer."
Kildare Rose Catherine Cunningham (File photograph).
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