Kiltoom's Rebecca Collins stunned Rose of Tralee audiences with self-penned poem
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Kiltoom native Rebecca Collins stunned audiences at last night's Rose of Tralee Festival, as she took to the stage with her self-penned poem 'The Reluctant Rose'.
The 24-year-old Our Lady's Bower Home Economics and Religion teacher joked that she 'had no talent' in her live interview with Kathryn Thomas, noting that her younger sister Jessica was "way more talented".
"She said 'Rebecca, you can't do it, because you don't have a talent'. I said I'm gonna write a poem about not having a talent for the Rose of Tralee."
Rebecca, who is part of Kiltoom Drama Group and Athlone Little Theatre, also shared a special moment from the Rose Tour when she got to visit John B Keane's pub in Listowel.
The Roscommon Rose had been appearing in the titular role in Kiltoom Drama Group's rendition of John B Keane's 'Sive' at the time of her selection.
"I played the role of Sive in March, the same week I was selected as Roscommon Rose. There was a funny connection, because the very first time Sive was ever performed was in Listowel in 1959, and the very first Rose of Tralee was in 1959.
"It was like a full circle moment, I got to go to John B Keane's pub on the Rose Tour and meet Billy, John B's son, and he said Sive was actually written in the pub."
Although Rebecca was not crowned as Rose of Tralee, she definitely stole the hearts of audiences up and down the country, but none more than her home county of Roscommon.
Roscommon GAA sent their well wishes to Rebecca, noting the "incredible journey" she has taken since her selection.
"[She] represented Roscommon with such warmth, pride and distinction throughout the 2026 International Rose of Tralee Festival. Rebecca has done her family, her parish, her club St Brigid's GAA Club and the entire county of Roscommon incredibly proud – and she certainly made her mark on the Dome!
"After a poem all about not having a talent for the Rose of Tralee stage… Rebecca, we think you proved yourself very wrong! You absolutely rocked it and were a fantastic ambassador for Roscommon from beginning to end."
Roscommon GAA also gave their congratulations to Westmeath Rose Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh, who was officially crowned the Rose of Tralee 2026.
"Congratulations also to the Westmeath Rose, Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh, who was crowned the 2026 International Rose of Tralee tonight. A wonderful achievement and our very best wishes to her for the year ahead."