SETU agriculture student, Cliona O’Leary, represented Wexford in this year's Rose of Tralee festival 2025.
Studying agriculture at SETU
The 26 year old Wexford Rose lives and works on her family farm in the small town of Boolavogue in Enniscorthy and is currently in her third year of SETU’s Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness.
Cliona has completed her third year at SETU’s Summerhill campus in Wexford and is set to complete the last year of her level 8-degree after a year out travelling.
Speaking about the close-knit community on SETU’s campus in Wexford and her time studying on the course, Cliona shared that she felt lucky to get her degree in her home county.
I am a real home bird. I love Wexford and it has been amazing to live, work and study here. I love my degree. Everyone in my course is so close and we all help each other when we can. My lecturers have really pulled me through my course and supported me all the way. I want to say a big thank you to all my lecturers and everyone who has helped me with my studies.
Cliona O'Leary Wexford Rose & SETU Student
The Wexford community
As part of her work experience module, Cliona has completed a 6-month placement with John Cullen Grain in Ballymurn, Wexford. Throughout her placement Cliona has learned all about Agri sales and hopes to work in this area after her graduation, sharing, “My work placement really allowed me to try different areas within agriculture and helped shape what I want to do after I complete my course. I went in thinking I wanted to work in the area of grains and left hoping to go into sales.”
Throughout her time campaigning as the Wexford Rose, Cliona has had the support of her SETU classmates and lecturers, along with her colleagues at John Cullen Grain. Cliona said, “It was an absolute honour to represent Wexford. People are so nice and supportive.”
Bucket list moment
Cliona has been a fan of the festival for years and had her tickets for the dome secured before she was announced as this year’s Wexford’s entry.
Cliona shared, “I have always been a fan of the Rose of Tralee Festival. I’m not sad that I didn’t win. For me, I won when I was chosen to represent my county.”
