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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Mayo Rose Kate Heneghan pictured at the Galway Races
MAYO Rose Kate Heneghan has been installed as the favourite to win the Rose of Tralee
The 27-year-old Castlebar musician has been made Boylesports' favourite to scoop the tiara in the Dome on August 22.
Kate has been made 5/1 favourite to become the first Mayo woman since Shrule's Maria Walsh to win the competition ahead of 41 other roses.
An accomplished violin, piano and harp player with a Masters degree in music, Kate has previously cited former Rose of Tralee Aoibheann Ní Shúilleabháin from Carnacon as an inspiration.
She has also toured the world as a musician - famously getting stuck aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
However, Kate has sought to play down the hype, telling The Mayo News that it's 'very early days'.
"I'm just so looking forward to the Rose of Tralee tour and festival and getting to know all the fabulous women and making friendships!," she said this afternoon (Thursday).
Kate is trailed by Kerry representative Kelsey Lang McCarthy who is 9/1 second favourite to keep the crown in the Kingdom.
A first win in the competition for County Longford isn’t out of the question with nurse Grace Kemple chalked up as third favourite at 10/1, with Carlow, Clare, Cork, Down and Toronto roses also prominent in the early betting.
The Rose of Tralee takes place from August 18-22, with roses representing Ireland and abroad taking to the stage at the Dome in the Kerry Sports Academy at the MTU on August 21-22.
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