A 23-year-old primary school teacher from Connemara has been selected as the 2026 Galway Rose.
Jodie Kenny was announced as this year’s Galway Rose at a ceremony in the Clayton Hotel, Ballybit on Saturday, April 25. She was sponsored by Gannon’s in Clifden.
Jodie teaches junior infants in Scoil Chuimín agus Caitríona in Oughterard. She is passionate about nurturing her pupils’ confidence and wellbeing. She hopes to further her studies to become an Educational Psychologist as she aspires to support children in overcoming barriers to their learning.
The Oughterard native has also acted as a brand ambassador for a fundraising initiative which raised over €1 million for Breast Cancer Ireland, a cause very close to her heart.
The 2026 Galway Rose Selection judges, Paula Gannon (2001 Limerick Rose ), Niamh Elwood (2017 Galway Rose ) and Shane McHugh (2022 International Rose of Tralee Escort of the Year ) assessed each entrant through individual and group interviews, as well as their stage interview with Tuam county councillor and Galway Bay FM’s Ollie Turner at Saturday’s Selection Night.
The Roses also attended a tour of the county, where they visited local sponsors, attractions and supporters.
The event was attended by Anthony O’Gara, Managing Director of the Rose of Tralee Festival and his wife Oonagh O’Gara and Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins. Galway Roses from previous years and Roses from around Ireland and London attended.
Jodie will spend the next three months attending events as she prepares to hit the stage in Tralee, County Kerry, for the Rose of Tralee International Festival, which will take place from August 14 to 18.
