Alopecia campaigner Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh has been crowned the new Rose of Tralee after winning over the judges and audience during this year's festival in Kerry.
The Westmeath Rose was named the 66th International Rose of Tralee on Tuesday night after competing against 31 other Roses during the two-night event.
The 25-year-old was left overwhelmed when her name was announced shortly before 11.30pm, with last year's winner, Laois Rose Kathlyn Cummins, presenting her with her sash.
Speaking to Kathryn Thomas after the announcement, Caoilfhinn described herself as "speechless" before becoming emotional as she spoke about the other Roses.
"I could not have done this without them," she said.
The new Rose added: "I don't think this is real. I am so overwhelmed."
Caoilfhinn will now take on a year-long role representing the Rose of Tralee festival, travelling throughout Ireland and internationally for a series of engagements.
Her journey to the crown comes after she shared a deeply personal story on the Rose of Tralee stage.
Caoilfhinn, who works in retail and is studying to become a wig maker, lost her hair to alopecia when she was 15.
Her experience with the autoimmune condition inspired her to pursue a career as a wig maker, while she also went on to establish The Hair Loss Haven.
The group offers support, events and meet-ups for people living with hair loss.
During Monday night's show, Caoilfhinn spoke openly about her experience and explained why she wanted to use her time on the Rose of Tralee stage to raise awareness.
"I didn't want people to pity me," she told Kathryn Thomas.
She later told the audience: "People say it's just hair, but it's so much more than just hair."
Caoilfhinn brought a number of her favourite wigs onto the stage before removing them and revealing her bald head.
She urged people to accept the things that make them different, telling the audience: "Embrace the imperfections."
Her message was met with a standing ovation.
Now, Caoilfhinn will have a very different reason to take to the stage as she begins her reign as Rose of Tralee.
She will wear the festival's crown, which was first introduced in 2014.
The crown, designed by Tipperary Crystal, contains 44 hand-cut glass crystals. The crystals represent the petals of a rose and the worldwide reach of the festival.
Along with the title, Caoilfhinn has won a prize package including a €25,000 world travel prize and use of a Kia EV3 for the duration of her reign.
She will also have access to free accommodation at the four-star Meadowlands Hotel whenever she returns to Tralee during her year as Rose of Tralee.
Kerry College will provide hairstyling for the new Rose, while Kerry County Council will host Caoilfhinn and a guest on a week-long adventure break in Kerry.
Her victory was announced live on RTÉ One by Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas from the Kerry Sports Academy at MTU.
The Rose of Tralee was watched by audiences around the globe, with viewers tuning in from Ireland as well as Australia, Tanzania, Canada and the United States.
The 2026 festival brought together 32 International Roses, who spent five days in Tralee taking part in the celebrations.
Alongside the television shows, the Roses enjoyed street parades, live music and entertainment as part of the Féile Trá Lí celebrations.
