INTERVIEW | A deep dive with 2025's Longford Rose Sara-Lee Greene

Sara-Lee Greene was selected to be the Longford Rose in 2025. From Edgeworthstown, the 25-year-old mental health nurse who currently works in Sligo sang with her guitar on the much-anticipated night. With a love for sports and music, Sara-Lee gave viewers the best of Longford, with her bubbly personality and impressive talent.

She studied in NUI Galway between 2018 and 2022. During her Rose of Tralee stint, as a past pupil, she received great support from her Scoil Bhride, Glen, as well as Ardscoil Phádraig.

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As of September and October’s edition of the ‘Longford Life’ magazine, Sara-Lee is also featured in the “Seven Deadly Sins”, where she did a tell-all of her best temptations and expressed her fun sense of humour.

Now with the event calming down since it finished in August, Sara-Lee came to chat to the ‘Longford Leader’ about the overall experience, giving a deep dive into what it is like to be one of the most glamorous women in the country.

Where in Longford are you from?
I am from Edgeworthstown in Longford, born and bred.

Overall, how did you find the Rose of Tralee experience?
I suppose the best way, to put it down to one word, is surreal. It has all calmed down since, and I still can’t believe all that went on during it. It was truly an amazing experience. You go in with this idea in your head, but that was so far off what we actually got to experience.

Were there any specific highlights that you would like to discuss?
There are so many parts it’s hard to narrow it down. You walk away with a feeling of pride. You gain so many friends-whether it be the Roses or escorts. It was wonderful being a Rose on tour. You’re treated like a princess. You get to meet so many different people from different walks of life and learn so much about yourself.

As a Rose, what sort of activities were you involved in?
We started on a Sunday and went on tour for six days before we arrived in Tralee. Every day was something new and very varied; making chocolate, tours of iconic locations, going to nursing homes, water sports, tours around various parts of the country including Meath, Dublin, Limerick and Kenmare. We had a couple of balls we got to attend, the parades during Tralee were definitely highlights too. There was just so much to be a part of and a great experience.

If you’re allowed to, are there any behind-the-scenes experiences as a Rose that do not get discussed much or shown on the television?
This is the thing. I suppose up until January, I was an outsider looking into the Rose of Tralee. A lot of people are the same, seeing the two nights of television. There is so much that is hard to understand unless you’re involved in it. Getting to meet everyone. The special thing in Tralee is when the little girls and boys came up for your autograph. Some knew Longford because they had been to Center Parcs. They were so excited to talk to me about that. It was great to speak on the international stage about Longford. You wouldn’t see that end of it on TV unless you follow it on social media. There’s a week's worth of activities and touring going on before the television nights. We are definitely getting tired by the end, but it’s such a good experience, adrenaline is pumping and we’re all bouncing off the fun and the fact that it’s a once in a lifetime experience. It’s hard to explain that when people haven’t been involved. But definitely worth it.

Do you do rehearsals before the actual event, and what is that like?
Not really, we meet Dáithí and Kathryn, and get to know them a little bit, which is amazing. And I suppose, just from having one-to-one conversations, they get a basis of who you are, what you do, what you want to talk about. You know what you’re talking about to a certain degree. But it was live television. It’s very much up to the conversation. You know that whoever you’re speaking with, you get that rapport between yourselves. It’s great going up on stage knowing who you’re talking to.

What is the filming like on the night–were you nervous backstage before you did your performance–were other Roses?
I thought I’d be a bag of nerves. I would usually be nervous before speaking in front of people or singing. But I knew we were all doing this together. You can’t pull a sickie! Naturally, you have some nerves, but I was a lot calmer than I expected. Overall, we were all a little bit nervous–we couldn't believe the time had arrived. We definitely had the craic backstage and it was amazing watching each other go up onstage and to come back down to hugs and cheers. You had a group that made you feel validated and supported. The chaperones were really supportive as well. Having that family support system really helped.

Would you tell me about the outfit that you chose on the night?
I am obsessed with it. At least every other day, I’m zooming in on pictures and looking at it. My favourite dress I’ve ever worn. And, to be honest, I didn’t know what I wanted at the start. I heard great things about a dressmaker up the road from me called Kelly and went to have a chat. I’d no picture in my head of what I wanted to wear. We had a few conversations about what colours and styles I liked. We knew it was probably going to be green. Green’s my favourite colour, my surname’s Greene, so it went from there. Flowers also came into play after some time, I loved how they fell on to the dress so elegantly. From start to finish, I enjoyed seeing the dress come together and to see how it was made. It was definitely something I was proud and happy to wear.

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Has the experience changed you in any way?
It definitely has, I think for the better. It’s one of those experiences. I’ve definitely come out of it with a lot of people who I wouldn’t have known weeks or months ago who I’m close with now. There’s sometimes this idea that it’s not good to be confident but I’m definitely more confident in myself since that is mighty. You have to roll with the kicks and embrace the situation. Going forward, that’ll stand to me. Representing Longford has been such an honour and I look forward to continuing to do so. You have to be proud of your county, which I have been but even more so now.

Do you think that these sorts of events are dated, or timeless?
It’s funny because, like that, everyone is going to have an opinion. It’s one of those things you can’t control. There is sometimes a lot of negativity about it. But, speaking from the experience as someone who has been a Rose, there are definitely traditional elements to it. That’s why so many people still sit down to watch it. It’s the highlight of some people’s summers. And there definitely has been changes to make it more modern; upped the age to 29, you can have kids and enter.
This year I had a few Rose sisters who were proud mothers and they are some of the most impressive people I have ever met! It’s not the same as it used to be. This year, a perfect example. Our Rose of Tralee is an electrician. That was probably something unheard of years ago.

It’s the people involved in the festival who make it what it is. I’m very biased, but if people were to look into it and understand why people become Roses, escorts, Rose Buds or Buddies (the little boys), they would see it’s changing and moving with the times but there is still a lot of traditional values to the festival - a true celebration of Irish heritage.

As the current Longford Rose, do you have any advice for any girl who may want to give it a go in the future?
Go for it. I would’ve always watched the Rose of Tralee but never thought I’d be the right person to be a Rose. But sometimes, it just takes one person to believe in you. It’s not all about the glamour, the dresses, how you look or what you do. Be proud of yourself, who you are, where you come from. You don’t need to be perfect. If anyone wants to be the Rose for Longford, give it a go.