Kerry Rose, Emer Dineen, from Castlegregory, Co Kerry.Kerry Rose Center

Emer Dineen, from Castlegregory, Co Kerry, is the favorite for the 2024 competition, which is due to take place from August 16, and has a very impressive profile that is sure to impress the judges in her native county.

Emer is a pediatric radiographer and certainly has many strings to her bow, acting as a part-time lifeguard, a gaelgeoir [Irish language speaker], a charity volunteer for Barrettstown and is even learning LÁMH (Irish Sign Language), which has earned her a 4/1 chance of winning the annual competition.

A spokesperson for Ladbrokes, Nicola McGee, said: "It’s getting to that time of year where all eyes turn to Tralee. The Kerry Rose is the big favorite; however, she has some real competition from near and far who will be vying for Rose glory."

Following close behind, with a 6/1 chance of emerging victorious, is Megan McCormack. The Sligo Rose is no stranger to the competition, as she is a senior Sligo Gaelic football player and avid soccer player for Gurteen Celtic. The 25-year-old substitute teacher spends her time spreading her love for GAA.

Hailing from all the way down under, Ashling Heneghan, a speech pathologist, is also an avid GAA player in Sydney. She was born in Mayo. Heneghan, who is presently 8/1 to win, served as Trinity College Dublin’s athletics track captain twice.

Leaving Ireland and heading across the Atlantic, Chicago Rose and 10-time world-qualifying Irish Dancer Megan Cahill currently sits at 10/1.

Cahill has participated in Chicago’s well-known St. Patrick’s Day parade and has long surrounded herself with Irish culture. She has an extended Irish family consisting of 41 relatives.

Ciara O’Sullivan, a native of Cork, will compete as the Dubai Rose. She is a teacher there at the moment and proudly plays Gaelic football for the Dubai Celts. At 10/1, she finishes fifth in the betting.

The top five for this year’s Rose of Tralee, according to Ladbrokes, is as follows:

  • 4/1 – Kerry – Emer Dineen
  • 6/1 – Sligo – Megan McCormack
  • 8/1 – Sydney – Ashling Heneghan
  • 10/1 – Chicago – Megan Cahill
  • 10/1 – Dubai – Ciara O’Sullivan

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.