Kiltoom's Rebecca starts Rose tour
Kiltoom native Rebecca Collins, the 2026 Roscommon Rose, has officially set off on tour as part of the Rose of Tralee Festival.
The 32 roses from across Ireland spent the first night of the National Rose Tour in the Knightsbrook Hotel Spa & Golf Resort in Trim on Sunday.
The ladies kicked off the celebrations with a jersey night, with Rebecca donning the primrose and blue of Roscommon on the night.
"The 2026 Roses have arrived at Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, kicking off the National Rose Tour with many meeting each other for the very first time," the official Rose of Tralee Festival shared.
"New faces, new friendships and the start of an unforgettable adventure together as the road to Tralee starts here!"
Rebecca has been sponsored by Hannon's Hotel in Roscommon town, with Roscommon Rose Centre crediting the hotel for being "so good and kind" to Rebecca.
The Kiltoom native got her final treatments ahead of the tour at Radiant by Hannah Kelly, which first started at a unit in her local area. She received her full wardrobe of daytime dresses, parade dresses and more from The One I Love in Ballinlough.
Students from her workplace, Our Lady's Bower in Athlone, had some input into some of Rebecca's styling for the tour and the finals night. The school wished Rebecca the best of luck on her Rose journey.
"Wishing the very best of luck to our fabulous Roscommon Rose, Ms Collins, as she embarks on an exciting week of events for the Rose of Tralee. Rebecca has been a fantastic ambassador for the primrose and blue, and we know she will represent the Rossies with great pride. Enjoy every minute of this very special experience Rebecca. No doubt we’ll all be glued to our screens next Monday and Tuesday."
Rebecca also received well wishes from Athlone Little Theatre, where she most recently held the leading role in its rendition of John B. Keane's 'Sive'.
The famous televised Selection Nights of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, where international contestants take to the stage live from Kerry to be interviewed and see who gets crowned, will take place on Monday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 18.