Shauna Murtagh: Leitrim’s Star at the Rose of Tralee

Shauna Murtagh, from Carrick-on-Shannon will be representing County Leitrim at this year's Rose of Tralee International Festival in County Kerry.

On June 21 at the Bush Hotel, Shauna was selected to represent her county.

The 23-year-old recently completed her Commerce degree at the University of Galway and is set to graduate this August. During her studies, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Canada at the University at Albany, SUNY.

Shauna is sponsored by Cryan’s Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, her family’s business where she currently works in social media marketing. 

Shauna intends on taking time to focus on her future career path and hopes to have the opportunity to travel more this year.

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In addition to her studies and social media work, Shauna is a keen sportswoman. Passionate about rowing, she started with the Carrick-on-Shannon Rowing Club and continued to excel at the University of Galway Boat Club. 

She won two Irish national championships with the University club, and coaches at her local club in Carrick-on-Shannon.

“I hope to help advocate for more girls in sport and coaching with my local rowing club,” Shauna said.

“I am grateful for all the support I have received locally, and I am looking forward to an incredible Rose journey.”

Shauna has been busy preparing for the Rose Tour. A Rose event was held at Cryan’s Hotel on July 26 where €2000 was raised for Dom’s Wish, her chosen charity. 

The Leitrim Rose recently travelled to Paris with her family to support Team Ireland at the Olympics and met with Rose of Tralee hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas in Barberstown Castle Hotel in County Kildare. On August 5, she judged the Bonny Baby and the best dressed competition at the Cloone Agricultural show.

This week, Shauna has travelled to Barberstown Castle Hotel again to begin her rose tour and meet her 31 ‘Rose Sisters.’ 

The Rose of Tralee competition for 2024 will start on August 16 and run until August 20. National and international rose contestants will take to the stage on August 19 and 20 at the Kerry Sports Academy, Munster Technological University. 

Shauna will be proudly representing Leitrim on the stage, with a custom made stage dress and head pieces designed by Leitrim based fashion designer Joanne McWeeney.

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Best of luck, Shauna!