The 2026 Rose of Tralee gets underway in Co Kerry from Friday, August 14, but the highlight of the annual international festival is the live, televised interviews that culminate on Tuesday with the selection of this year's Rose.
32 women from Ireland and further afield - all of whom were born in Ireland, are Irish citizens, or have Irish ancestors - are vying to win the title this year.
Among this year's three dozen Roses are five Irish Americans. The last time an American won the Rose of Tralee was in 2023 when New York Rose Roisin Wiley took the crown. Can another American do it this year?
Read on to meet the five Irish Americans competing to be the 2026 Rose of Tralee.
Carolina - Grace O'Halloran
2026 Carolina Rose Grace O'Halloran.
My name is Grace, and I’m 28 years old. I grew up in Connecticut, though I’ve called North Carolina home for nearly a decade. I attended Wake Forest University to study English and Entrepreneurship, with some specialized courses in Irish Literature. I’ve recently joined an advertising technology startup after beginning my career at an ad agency, focused on international markets. I love to travel, spend time with family and friends, cheer on college football, and try new recipes. This fall, I took my first solo trip, where I attended a weeklong cooking course on a farm in Italy. I’m delighted to represent the Carolinas in Tralee. This experience is a tribute to the legacy of my wonderful Dad and grandparents (from Dublin and Mayo). They’d think it’s absolutely great craic and are surely smiling from above. My love of my Irish heritage is inextricably tied to my love for them. Their influence on my life is without a doubt the reason I applied for the Rose of Tralee. A fun fact - my aunt was the Toronto Rose in 1979!
Chicago - Fiona Gaffney
2026 Chicago Rose Fiona Gaffney.
Dia duit! Is mise Fiona. I am 26 years old and a proud first-generation Irish American from Chicago. My Irish connection is through my mom, born in Westmeath and raised in Waterford. My grandparents hail from Wexford. I have Galway and Leitrim heritage through my dad. I earned my bachelor’s in biophysics and microbiology from Michigan (Go Blue!). My career is in food safety. I recently graduated with my master's in public health stemming from my passion for science accessibility and women's health advocacy. The Chicago Irish community is my second family. I serve on the executive committee of Ireland Network Chicago and am Vice President of Cultural Affairs for the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago. I have studied Irish with Na Gaeil Chicago for three years and attended Oideas Gael under a 2025 Summer Gaeltacht Award. I'm a lifelong swimmer which led to playing water polo. I ran the 2024 Dublin Marathon for DePaul Ireland and will run the 2026 Chicago Marathon. I am incredibly honored to represent Chicago and excited for this journey with my fellow Roses.
New York - Ciara McGinty
2026 New York Rose Ciara McGinty
Hello! My name is Ciara and I am 25 years old. My mom, Elaine, is from Leixlip, Kildare and my dad, Rob, is from New York, with both of his parents being from Ireland. Together with my sister Ava and my brother Rory, we were fortunate to travel to Ireland every summer for 6 weeks, which allowed us to build the strong relationships with our family and friends in Ireland we have today. I am a first grade teacher in the Bronx. I live in Woodlawn, where there is a strong Irish community. I am the Vice President of the Kildare Association of New York and a delegate for the United Irish Counties Association of New York. I love spending time with my family and friends and have a love for travel! In 2022, I travelled around Europe with my cousin, Shannon, and some friends. Recently, I travelled to the Dominican Republic with my boyfriend, Shane. It’s been a privilege to be selected as the 2026 New York Rose, and I am so excited for all that is to come!
San Francisco - Sarah Johnston
2026 San Francisco Rose Sarah Johnston.
Hello! I’m Sarah and I am so honored to represent the San Francisco Irish-American community this year at the Rose of Tralee. I am 24 years old and from San Mateo, California. I graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a degree in Environmental Design and currently work managing my family’s restaurant in San Carlos, California, Johnston’s Saltbox. My dad’s people are from Portstewart, Co Derry, and Toomebridge, Co Antrim, and my mom’s people are from Glenullin, Co Derry, and Ballydesmond, Co Cork. I am so proud to be Irish-American; it makes the world a little smaller, from leaning on my local community after the death of my Grandpa Brian, to hearing a familiar accent while in New Zealand and finding out they’re regulars at my family’s pub in Coleraine (shoutout Railway Arms!). In my free time I love to golf, catch flights, and hike with my golden retriever, Doc. I am so thrilled to meet new friends for life in my fellow Roses, experience Ireland through a new lens, and make memories to last a lifetime in Tralee.
Texas - Ally Padgett
2026 Texas Rose Ally Padgett.
Hi, y’all! My name is Ally, and I am delighted to represent Texas at the 2026 Rose of Tralee International Festival. I am 29 years old, born and raised in the capital city of Austin, Texas. I began Irish dancing at the age of eight, and I am so fortunate that dance led me to be so deeply immersed in the vibrant Irish community in Texas. After earning my undergraduate degree in Studio Art, I started working in graphic design. I am a Senior Art Director who has worked for two global creative agencies designing and producing social media content. In my free time, I love traveling and making connections with different places and people. I enjoy creating and viewing art of all mediums, supporting artists and musicians, learning new things, and spending time with my friends and family. My Irish heritage comes from County Tipperary. As the Texas Rose, I can’t wait to share this journey with all the Roses and celebrate our Irish culture that spreads across the globe. Texas, I hope I make you proud!
*Rose photos and bios courtesy of Rose of Tralee.
Comments