A Rebel Rose? Cork musician tipped to be next Rose of Tralee

Cork's Nancy Lehane is the early 4/1 bookies’ favourite to become the 2025 Rose of Tralee after the odds for the annual festival in Co Kerry were revealed by Irish bookmakers BoyleSports.

The 22-year-old has a passion for singing and also adds the piano, guitar, concertina, and tin whistle to an impressive array of musical talents that she shares with the wider community at local events and through teaching.

Hot on Nancy’s heels is UAE Rose Celiene O’Meara (13/2), who made a move to the Middle East from her native county of Limerick. The former All-Ireland Fleadh Champion even packed her beloved harp on the journey, which she used when playing to Emirati royalty at the Dubai World Cup.

Kerry’s Laura Daly will bid to follow in the footsteps of the county’s All-Ireland winning football team and is a 7/1 shot to fend off her 31 rivals, while Dublin’s Laura Daly, who has already racked up three degrees at the age of 25, is rated an 8/1 chance by the oddsmakers.

With party tricks taking centre stage for many viewers on the night, savvy punters are already identifying some entertaining acts which could woo the judging panel.

Irish dancer and Meath Rose, Ella Bannon (25/1), danced for Pope Francis when he visited the Emerald Isle in 2018, and figure skating Ohio Rose Fiona Conway (33/1), who traces her ancestry back to County Mayo, has also proven popular in the betting.

Qualified beekeeper Caoimhe Connolly is a 16/1 shot to sting the bookies with a victory for Fermanagh, while the chances of a victory from the north are boosted by Down’s Anna Mulholland (25/1), whose active resumé includes playing camogie, football, and netball.

Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “The All-Ireland hurling heartbreak is still fresh, but Cork’s Rose has fast become the punters’ favourite to bring a smile back to Rebel faces.

"It’s all to play for, though, and with everything from beekeepers to barristers ready for the stage, Tralee is buzzing about another competitive battle for the crown.”

Rose of Tralee 2025 odds, according to BoyleSports

• 4/1 Nancy Lehane (Cork)
• 13/2 Ceiline O’Meara (UAE)
• 7/1 Laura Daly (Kerry)
• 8/1 Edel Cronin (Dublin)
• 8/1 Sara Costa (Texas)
• 14/1 Maeve Kelly (Boston)
• 14/1 Shauna Sammon (London)
• 14/1 Laura Foley (Sydney)
• 16/1 Katie Ryan (Carlow)
• 16/1 Caoimhe Connolly (Fermanagh)
• 16/1 Katelyn Cummins (Laois)
• 16/1 Clara Gardiner (Mayo)
• 20/1 Leah McMahon (Limerick)
• 20/1 Aisling Guilfoyle (Luxembourg)
• 20/1 Nicole Heffernan (Offaly)
• 25/1 Colleen Kelahan-Pierson (Arizona)
• 25/1 Anna Mulholland (Down)
• 25/1 Sarah Ann Fritz (Germany)
• 25/1 Ella Bannon (Meath)
• 25/1 Aidan Russell (Ottawa)
• 25/1 Shannon Emery (Philadelphia)
• 28/1 Erin McCormack (Armagh)
• 28/1 Ciara Confrey (Western Canada)
• 28/1 Cliona O’Leary (Wexford)
• 33/1 Sara-Lee Greene (Longford)
• 33/1 Ciara Jo Hanlon (New Zealand)
• 33/1 Fiona Conway (Ohio)
• 33/1 Siobhan Edwards (Queensland)
• 33/1 Beth Mooney (South Australia)
• 33/1 Rachel Hoare (Toronto)
• 33/1 Cloideach Donaghy (Tyrone)
• 33/1 Soracha McGrath (Washington DC)