A 28-year-old teacher and community activist from Beaufort was named the 2026 Kerry Rose following a gala selection night at The Heights Hotel in Killarney last Saturday.

Caoimhe Lynch, who currently works as a secondary school Chaplain and English teacher in Dublin, emerged as the judges’ choice from a talented group of contestants representing every corner of the county. The Beaufort native was a popular winner among the large crowd of supporters who gathered in Killarney to see the 2026 representative chosen.

A proud Kerry woman, Caoimhe is well known in Killarney as the director of the Kingdom Gospel Choir, which boasts over 100 members. Even while working in the capital, she has remained deeply rooted in her home county, travelling back regularly to lead the choir and spend time with her family.

Beyond her professional and musical life, Caoimhe is the founder of The Light House Project, an initiative she established in 2024 to support communities facing poverty and social challenges. During the selection process, she spoke passionately about her commitment to social justice and her love for traditional Irish music, specifically the “Lynch family music sessions” that are a staple of her home life.

“Kerry is home, and I love nothing more than coming back to my family and friends,” she said during the event.

Caoimhe will now represent the Kingdom at the Rose of Tralee International Festival this August.

Sheahan’s Centra on the Muckross Road has made a significant donation to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Sports Club using proceeds from unclaimed deposits at the shop’s bottle return machine.

Aisling Sheahan and the team at the Muckross Road store presented the cheque to members of the club this week. The funds were generated through the return scheme located at the front of the shop, where customers have the option to donate their return vouchers to local causes.
The donation comes at a busy time for the Kerry Stars, who have returned to training this week following the Easter break. The club provides a wide range of sporting outlets for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, including athletics, therapeutic horse riding, basketball, and soccer.
Preparation is also underway for the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games, which take place in Dublin this June. Four athletes have been selected to represent the Kerry Stars at the national event.
The club is currently open to new members across most of its disciplines, though a long waiting list remains for Friday evening swimming sessions as the group continues its search for a qualified swim coach in Killarney. Training will continue until the summer break in May before resuming again in September.
Those interested in joining the club or inquiring about the coaching vacancy can contact Kerry Stars at kerrystars63@gmail.com or by calling 087 2365664.