Ambitious mum-of-one chosen to represent Limerick in Rose of Tralee 2025

THE 2025 Limerick Rose has been chosen!

29-year-old Leah McMahon from Castletroy has been selected to represent Limerick at the Rose of Tralee this August.

A mum of one, Leah lives in Castleconnell with her seven-year-old daughter, Ella, who held her hand on stage during the Rose Selection Night at Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel, Adare, on Sunday, May 18, the moment Leah was announced as the 2025 Limerick Rose.

Overcome with emotion and still in shock, the win represented more than just a title for Leah, it was a symbol of love, perseverance, and determination. Surrounded by family and friends, which included her fiancé Al, she described the moment as one she’ll never forget: “It is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.

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“Ella was holding my hand on stage and was staring up at me, and I said to her ‘this is for you, whatever you put your mind to you can do it’. I was 21 when I had her, I put my head down, worked hard and educated myself and I just said nothing will stop me from moving every mountain and breaking every barrier to make sure she can do whatever she wants.

“Having Ella with me, I was like ‘I did it’, I knew it was in me.”

Leah attended Our Lady Queen of Peace in Janesboro, later moving on to Castletroy College and the University of Limerick. She now works as a financial planner at Castle Capital, who are proudly sponsoring her on her Rose of Tralee journey.

Passionate about empowering others, Leah is committed to improving gender equity and making financial education accessible to all. Through her workshop, Bláthú, she uplifts women in business. Reflecting on her fellow contestants, she said:

“I am dedicated to making financial education accessible to all and improving gender equity, and strive to uplift women in business through my workshop Bláthú.

“Also, the group of girls that we had were all so amazing and even when my name was called out, I have never felt so much love in my entire life. I am so proud, I can’t believe that I am representing Limerick.

“I can’t wait to meet all of the other Roses and go to all of the events coming up. Limerick is very special, we all support each other and love to see Limerick out there, on headlines and in sport, so I am so proud to be a part of that. I’m doing this for everyone.”

A dedicated member of the Ahane GAA club, Leah both plays for the Mothers & Others team and coaches the U8 Girls’ Gaelic football team. She also volunteers with the homeless support organisation NOVAS and is an active member of Network Limerick.

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Suzan O’Gara, Limerick Rose Centre coordinator, praised the event and the participants:

“It was an incredible night, Limerick people came out in huge numbers! It has been the most fabulous few months with the 18 Limerick Rose entrants that we had this year.

“The girls are beautiful, inside and out, they all backed each other and supported each other the whole way through. They all did themselves, family and communities proud.

“Leah is going to be a fabulous representative of all of those girls down in Tralee and we are so excited to see her journey for the rest of the year!”

A worthy winner who radiates positivity and resilience, Leah will represent Limerick on the international stage at the Rose of Tralee Festival from August 15 to 19.