![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/donegal-rose-emma-wins-hearts-in-tralee-with-special-tribute-to-brother-michael.png\")
<\/p>\nDonegal Rose Emma Nelis closed the opening night of the Rose of Tralee TV final in style on Monday, winning hearts with family tales and a moving tribute to her brother Michael.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old teacher from Gartan was the final Rose to be interviewed on Monday night, and used her time on stage to speak proudly about family, Gartan, Glenveagh Castle, teaching and GAA.<\/p>\n
Emma also used the moment to include her brother Michael in the night.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, Michael. You\u2019re watching at home in Donegal,\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMichael was knocked down in 2009 and he has an acquired brain injury. That\u2019s why he\u2019s not with us here tonight, he\u2019s at home in respite.”<\/p>\n
Emma highlighted the valuable work of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.<\/p>\n
“Without their support, we wouldn\u2019t be able to have respite or carers come to the house to look after him (Michael). They have been an unreal support to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her words received warm applause in the Kerry Sports Academy at MTU, where the Rose Selection was broadcast live on RT\u00c9 One.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Donegal Rose Emma Nelis’ proud parents Mary and Michael supporting her in the audience. Image: RTE<\/p>\n
The Errigal College teacher was introduced as someone who \u201cgrew up jumping bales on the family farm\u201d and now helps young people reach their potential as a teacher in Letterkenny, while still finding time to coach, play football and train for Hyrox.<\/p>\n
Asked whether she would have preferred to be first or last on the night, Emma said: \u201cDefinitely last.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Donegal Rose proudly told D\u00e1ith\u00ed \u00d3 S\u00e9 that she is from \u201cGod\u2019s country\u201d – aka Gartan!<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the home place of Saint Colmcille,\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n
She also shared the local tradition of Gartan clay, which is associated with protection against fires and drowning.<\/p>\n
Emma also celebrated her family\u2019s unique connection to Glenveagh Castle.<\/p>\n
Glenveagh, she said, is \u201cbasically a home away from home\u201d for her family.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mum\u2019s worked there for coming up on 50 years. She\u2019s retiring now in September,\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cShe also used to live there, her and Dad and my sister and my brother.\u201d<\/p>\n Emma explained that after the last owner of Glenveagh Castle, Henry McIlhenny, left, he asked her mother Mary to stay on as caretaker.<\/p>\n \u201cSo they moved in and they stayed there for 16 years,\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n Although Emma was born three years after her family moved out, she later worked there as a tour guide.<\/p>\n There are still a few hidden family reminders inside the castle, she revealed.<\/p>\n \u201cNot many people know this, but if you look up behind a few cupboards, you\u2019ll find some old Spice Girls stickers and wrestling stickers belonging to the family,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Elegant Emma Nelis spoke warmly about her interests during the Rose of Tralee final. Image: RTE<\/p>\n Emma now teaches History and English at Errigal College in Letterkenny and gave a shout-out to Donegal ETB, her school and her students for their support.<\/p>\n She also paid tribute to her CLG An Tearmainn teammates, who were watching her appearance at home.<\/p>\n \u201cShout out to my girls here watching in the local,\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re a great bunch of girls. They\u2019ve been so supportive, the whole club.\u201d<\/p>\n Termon GAA had plenty to celebrate this summer, having won the All-Ireland Gaeltacht title on the June bank holiday weekend.<\/p>\n Emma also showed off her dancing skills on the night, jiving with escort, Kerryman Kevin Ross, to \u2018Stop the World and Let Me Off\u2019.<\/p>\n Our Donegal Rose Emma Nelis and her escort Kevin close out the night with a brilliant jive! \ud83c\udf39\u2728#RoseOfTralee<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/exzp4eiuZJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 RT\u00c9 One (@RTEOne) August 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Asked if the Rose of Tralee had lived up to expectations, Emma said it had gone far beyond what she imagined.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has exceeded my expectations,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cEven walking in here today for rehearsals, I was like, wow. Because when you watch it as a kid, it\u2019s so surreal being here.\u201d<\/p>\n The Donegal interest continues on Tuesday night, when United Arab Emirates Rose Enya Crone<\/a> takes to the stage.<\/p>\n Night one also saw Melbourne Rose Mikaela Whitty proudly carry her strong Inishowen roots into this year\u2019s festival.<\/p>\n See more: Melbourne Rose honours her Donegal granny from Tralee stage<\/a><\/p>\n![\"More](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/more-than-half-of-donegal-help-to-buy-applications-approved.png\")
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