New Donegal Rose Emma Nelis says family, young people and a deep love of her home county will guide her journey to Tralee.
The 24-year-old Gartan woman was crowned Donegal Rose for 2026 at An Chúirt Hotel on Saturday night.
Emma never expected to be awarded the title. She thought the other 20 “amazing ladies” around her had more of a chance.
“I was ready to clap and then they called out me and my heart literally dropped. I couldn’t believe it. It was really surreal.”
Now that she has been crowned Donegal Rose for 2026, she is seizing the chance to speak proudly about Donegal, from her family’s unique connection to Glenveagh Castle to the brother who has inspired her to promote disability awareness.
Donegal Rose Emma Nelis with MC Ollie Turner at Saturday’s selection event. Photo: Stevie Toye, Logopix
Emma is the daughter of Michael and Mary Nelis, and has a sister, Claire, and two brothers, Declan and Michael.
Emma’s home life in Gartan is busy, close-knit and full of support.
At the heart is her older brother Michael, who suffered life-changing injuries after he was knocked down in Letterkenny in 2009.
He was rushed to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin after the accident and now lives at home with the support of his family and carers from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.
“They didn’t think he was going to pull through, but he did. My dad is his main carer, and thankfully, from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, we get carers out, which is a huge relief,” she said.
“Michael still gets out and about. He gets to the pub every Friday and still gets to enjoy life as much as he can.”
Emma did not get to see Michael straight after she was crowned, as he was in respite in Letterkenny while her parents were on holiday.
But he did get to share in the excitement.
“Oh, he’s delighted,” Emma said. “He FaceTimed me.”
Emma said she hopes to use her time as Donegal Rose to promote disability awareness and highlight the work of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.
“I definitely want to bring it with me on my journey and promote disability awareness,” she said.
Fundraising is already underway for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland in Glenveagh, with a 5K planned for the end of June while Emma and her mum are planning a bucket collection in Kilmacrennan over the June bank holiday weekend.
The new Donegal Rose also has family cheering her on from further afield. Her brother Declan lives in Australia and has two daughters who are “buzzing that their auntie is going to be on TV”.
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New Donegal Rose Emma Nelis pictured with family members on her selection night – Danny McFadden, Terry McFadden, Caoimhe Neely, Maureen O’Donnell and Grace Nelly at An Chúirt Hotel. Photo: Stevie Toye, Logopix
Emma making her Facetime calls to family after being selected as the Donegal Rose 2026. Photo: Stevie Toye, Logopix
One family detail that Emma shared on stage during the Donegal Rose Selection surprised many in the room: her family once lived inside Glenveagh Castle for over 16 years.
Emma’s mother Mary has worked in Glenveagh for almost 50 years. While working for the last owner, Henry McIlhenny, she was asked to take on the role of caretaker.
Although Emma was born some years after her family had lived there, she has her own close connection to Glenveagh, having worked there as a tour guide for the past four summers.
She said her family have “brilliant memories” of life there, including Christmas mornings in the castle.
That connection to Glenveagh, and to Donegal’s history and landscape, is something Emma hopes to carry with her to Tralee.
“I love talking about Donegal and tourism because sometimes when people come to Ireland, they go to Dublin or they go to Kerry, but I think promoting Donegal is very important,” she said.
Emma’s mother’s side of the family is from Creeslough, while her father’s side is from Gartan.
The moment Emma was announced as the 2026 Donegal Rose on stage at An Chúirt Hotel. Photo: Stevie Toye, Logopix
Outgoing Donegal Rose Niamh Shevlin hands over the sash to 2026 Donegal Rose Emma Nelis at the Donegal Rose Selection in An Chúirt Hotel. Photo: Stevie Toye, Logopix
As the Donegal Rose, she also wants to share the value of working with young people.
Emma teaches History and English at Errigal College in Letterkenny, but her experience with young people extends beyond the classroom. She coaches the under-8 girls at CLG An Tearmainn and also plays with the senior ladies team.
Emma said she hopes to be somebody that young players and students can look up to.
“I would like to be a good ambassador for Donegal, and hopefully maybe a good ambassador for Ireland, promoting tourism, and being a good ambassador for the younger kids,” she said.
The build-up to Tralee is already beginning, and Emma is looking forward to meeting the other Roses, attending selection nights and taking part in the Rose Tour.
Emma is congratulated by the Roscommon Rose Rebecca Collins and Derry Rose Cará Hamilton at the Donegal Rose Selection night in An Chúirt Hotel on Saturday, 16th May. Photo: Stevie Toye, Logopix
One thing still to be decided is Emma’s party piece for Tralee.
She did not perform one at the Donegal selection, but she knows she will have to get thinking before August.
“No ideas yet, but we’ll get something!”
Emma also gave a special mention to her sponsor, The Lagoon Termon, as well as Avante Hair in Letterkenny and Makeup by Mia, who helped her get Rose-ready on Saturday.
