The Kingdom may be hosting the Rose of Tralee, but all eyes are on Cork this year as Nancy Lehane has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the crown. At just 22 years old, Nancy hails from Meelin - proudly known as the highest village in Ireland - and is already making her mark as a primary school teacher. Teaching, she says, has always been in her blood. "I began teaching music to children and adults at fourteen and continued until I was seventeen. Even now, I am often teaching my four brothers how to hang clothes on the line properly — so teaching was definitely the path for me!" she joked in her profile. Music is at the heart of Nancy's life. A multi-instrumentalist since the age of five, she plays guitar, piano, concertina, and tin whistle - and loves to sing. Over the years, she has performed at community events and through volunteering, using her talent to bring joy to others. When she's not in the classroom or sharing her music, Nancy is on the football pitch with her local GAA club, where she enjoys the "craic, teamwork and fitness" that Gaelic games bring. Bookmakers Paddy Power currently have Nancy priced at 4/1, making her the favourite to be crowned the 2025 Rose of Tralee. Hot on her heels are Kerry Rose Laura Daly (9/2), UAE Rose Ceiline O'Meara (5/1), Texas Rose Sara Costa (12/1) and Dublin Rose Edel Cronin (16/1). So, who's in the running for the coveted crown? From Armagh to Arizona, from Cork to Canada, here's your chance to meet all 32 Roses competing in this year's festival. READ MORE | PICTURES: Inside the most expensive house to rent in Ireland - it costs €70,000 a month
Who is the Cork Rose Nancy Lehane - one of the early favourites to win the Rose of Tralee?
