The 2026 Rose of Tralee has said that alopecia “made me into the person I am today”. 

Westmeath Rose Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh, who has previously spoken to Newstalk about her struggles with hair loss, was crowned the winner of the most popular pageant in Ireland last night. 

On Lunchtime Live, Ms Ní Choiligh said everything has been a “whirlwind” ever since. 

“I'm trying to take it all in at the moment, but, God, it's a pinch me moment,” she said. 

“I didn't think it was going to be me; I know it's probably very cliche and everyone says it, but I really didn't.

“The calibre of girls on that stage was outstanding and they should all be so proud of themselves. 

“I was just happy to be part of that 2026 class because we really bonded so close and it just so happened, my name was the one called. 

“If they hadn't said Westmeath, I probably wouldn't have known it was me because I just speechless.”

Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss and while it is not usually a sign of illness, it is usually upsetting for those who are impacted by it. 

For Ms Ní Choiligh, it meant she decided to wear a wig - something she wasn’t thrilled about people knowing. 

“I think for a long time, I didn't want to be the girl with the wig or the girl with the hair loss,” she said. 

“I didn't want that to define me, but at the same time, it's what really built me up. 

“It's what made me resilient, it's what made me build character and strength and to understand what support and empathy is all about.” 

While she has endured some difficult moments, the 25-year-old said alopecia has helped her find strengths and abilities she never knew she had. 

“The role that Tralee is all about celebrating what makes women so amazing,” she said. 

“I just feel like if I didn't go through my hair loss, I wouldn't be able to develop all those amazing skills that have made me into the person I am today.”

At the moment, Ms Ní Choiligh works in retail but she is also training to work in wigs, which is “something I always wanted to do”. 

“I've had to do it myself for a long time,” she said. 

“I'm not making wigs from scratch, but like repairing and altering and all that sort of stuff. 

“So, I just want to do it to get trained up professionally and then be able to use those skills to help my community.”

Main image: Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh. Image: Supplied.