Mayor wishes Derry Rose of Tralee good luck with special reception

The Mayor Councillor Grace Uí Niallais pictured during a reception for Cara Hamilton in recognition of being crowned Derry Rose 2026. Cara will travel to the finals representing Derry and Na Piarsaigh Doire Trasna at the Tralee International Festival in August. The citation on the crystal commemorative gift recognises the 21 year old from Gobnascale area of the city, reads âYour achievement brings honour to our community and reflects the spirit, grace and pride of the people of Derry.

Pictured with Cara are members of her family and friends, Christopher McCloskey, Dawn Connor, Emmett McCallion, Teresa Frazer, Kate Hamilton, Una Hamilton, Cara's mum, Annemarie McCallion, Donna Jones and Mark McCloskey. — The Mayor Councillor Grace Uí Niallais pictured during a reception for Cara Hamilton in recognition of being crowned Derry Rose 2026. Cara will travel to the finals representing Derry and Na Piarsaigh Doire Trasna at the Tralee International Festival in August. The citation on the crystal commemorative gift recognises the 21 year old from Gobnascale area of the city, reads âYour achievement brings honour to our community and reflects the spirit, grace and pride of the people of Derry. Pictured with Cara are members of her family and friends, Christopher McCloskey, Dawn Connor, Emmett McCallion, Teresa Frazer, Kate Hamilton, Una Hamilton, Cara's mum, Annemarie McCallion, Donna Jones and Mark McCloskey. | Picture Martin McKeown. 15.07.26

placeholder image — The Mayor Councillor Grace Uí Niallais pictured during a reception for Cara Hamilton in recognition of being crowned Derry Rose 2026. Cara will travel to the finals representing Derry and Na Piarsaigh Doire Trasna at the Tralee International Festival in August. The citation on the crystal commemorative gift recognises the 21 year old from Gobnascale area of the city, reads âYour achievement brings honour to our community and reflects the spirit, grace and pride of the people of Derry. Pictured with Cara are members of her family and friends, Christopher McCloskey, Dawn Connor, Emmett McCallion, Teresa Frazer, Kate Hamilton, Una Hamilton, Cara's mum, Annemarie McCallion, Donna Jones and Mark McCloskey. | Picture Martin McKeown. 15.07.26

‘Cara is a great ambassador for our city and district and we will be behind her all the way to Tralee’

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Grace Uí Niallais, welcomed the Derry Rose of Tralee into the Guildhall to wish her good luck ahead of next month's international competition.

Cara Hamilton, this year's Derry Rose, will travel to Tralee, Co.Kerry, next month to represent the city and Na Piarsaigh Doire Trasna.

Mayor Uí Niallais hosted a special reception in the Guildhall on Wednesday, July 16 for Cara along with her family and friends to learn more about her journey to becoming this year's Rose.

Wishing her good luck, Mayor Uí Niallais said: "It was fantastic to meet Cara and hear all about the work that goes into becoming a Rose of Tralee. She is a great ambassador for our city and district and we will be behind her all the way to Tralee!"