Ready to bloom: Great celebrations in Edgeworthstown as Sara Lee Greene is crowned the Longford Rose

Sara Lee Greene is officially the Longford Rose for 2025 and 2026. She was selected last weekend at an event held in the Longford Arms Hotel and is the first of the Irish roses to be selected.

Sara Lee is a Mental Health Nurse at Sligo Hospital and is deeply involved with her local football club Mostrim Ladies as well as the Longford Rugby Club.

She is a singer and guitar player and all around the perfect role model for any young girl who will be watching her for the next two years.

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Sara was nominated for the Longford Rose by someone she had worked with previously.

“It was a lady that I worked with in a nursing home with, Ursula, that nominated me on one of the social pages.

“Then the coordinators got in contact with me.

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“I was a bit apprehensive because I never thought I'd do something like it but that got the ball rolling.

“Only for her I wouldn’t have entered,” she said.

Sara praised how simple the application process pointing out how helpful the coordinators Lyn and Steve were.

She then described how she felt when her name was called on that memorable night.

“I didn't know what to do,” she laughed, “I heard my name and remember thinking what?”

“I remember I just started laughing, the entire rush was like nothing I’ve experienced before.”

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One thing that Sara felt was so special about the entire process was the friendships she forged with the girls involved.

“They’ve been so nice, everyone has been so lovely and like of a;ll the girls it could have been any of us that got picked.

“I’ve gotten so many nice messages from them and I had a great night with them afterwards as well.

“I’d definitely want to meet them for coffee again and hopefully see a few of them down in Tralee.”

Grace Kemple, the former Longford Rose has been a guiding light for Sara through the madness of the last few days.

“Grace, she’s been so good so far, I’m going up to the Meath selection next week and Grace is coming with me so I’m just going to lean on her for everything because she’s truly a lovely lovely person,” she remarked.

Sara is looking forward to the next two years and hopes to savour every minute.

She has been sponsored by PV’s, a staple of Longford Town.

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“PV’s they’re very good to sponsor me, it was hard to find someone to ask but I’ve worked a few shifts with them and my sister works there so thankfully they did sponsor me.”

There has been an outpour of support for Sara across the county, especially in Edgeworthstown her home town.

“On all the social media there are just so many messages coming in.

“It’s mad to think that so many people are aware of it,” she said.

“I’m so proud to be able to do it because I have always loved, like looking out for the younger girls so it’s lovely to have the opportunity to instil in them that it can be anybody that does the Rose.”

Sara is also looking forward to supporting various charities throughout her tenure as Rose.