Limerick Welcomes Rose Leah McMahon Ahead of Festival Opening

UPDATE: Limerick is buzzing with excitement as the city rolls out the red carpet for its own Rose, Leah McMahon, ahead of the highly anticipated Rose of Tralee Festival kickoff this Friday evening. Just moments ago, the Rose Tour made a grand entrance in the Treaty City, drawing massive crowds dressed in green and white to cheer on Leah and the other 31 Roses.

Families, friends, and enthusiastic supporters lined the streets, waving flags and capturing the moment as the Roses stepped off the bus in the bustling city center. Leah, overwhelmed by the warm reception, expressed her joy: “I was so excited. I nearly ran down the aisle of the bus to get off to see everyone. To see family and friends, people from Limerick coming out there just so excited.”

In a heartwarming scene, Leah’s little girl was among those welcoming her, highlighting the emotional impact of the event. “It’s just amazing getting to show her 32 Roses, who are strong and inspiring,” Leah added.

Among the Roses was Celine O’Meara, representing the United Arab Emirates and proudly showcasing her Limerick roots. Celine, a talented musician, shared her excitement: “It is such an honour to be the United Arab Emirates Rose, getting to represent each of the seven Emirates. And to be here in my hometown of Limerick, I had to wear my green today, for sure.”

Celine revealed her plans for the festival stage, stating, “I play the harp and the piano and I perform over in Dubai as well. I brought the harp with me, which wasn’t easy, so of course I’ll be bringing it to the stage. There might even be another surprise on the night stage… we’ll have to see.”

Festival Director and Limerick Rose Centre Coordinator Suzanne O’Gara commented on the strong bond between the festival and Limerick. “The relationship between the festival and Limerick has always been a lovely one. With Limerick being so close to Tralee, there’s always been a big following here,” she noted. The Limerick Rose Centre also celebrated a new partnership with the Crescent Shopping Centre, which generously donated €1,000 to support Leah’s journey.

The excitement in Limerick is palpable as events are set to unfold in Tralee throughout the weekend, culminating in the crowning of the 2025 International Rose of Tralee late Tuesday evening. Live coverage will be broadcast on RTE One starting at 8 PM on both Monday and Tuesday, with details of the participating Roses announced on Monday morning.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Rose of Tralee Festival unfolds, bringing together communities and celebrating the spirit of the Roses!