As Ireland prepares for his visit, what the new Rose of Tralee – an aspiring WIG MAKER with alopecia – has to say about Donald Trump’s infamous hair… is it, or isn’t?
Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh, the newly crowned Rose of Tralee and an aspiring wig maker who lives with alopecia, has ruled herself out of styling Donald Trump's hair ahead of his visit to Ireland, joking that the US president "wouldn't really be my clientele". Her win has drawn attention partly because she is training to make wigs professionally and has spoken openly about wearing one since developing alopecia at 15, including removing it on stage during the competition. The story matters as a human-interest piece tied to Trump's upcoming Ireland trip, using her comments on his much-discussed hairline as a hook for a wider profile.
In the interview, the 26-year-old Westmeath woman, who works as a shop supervisor in Mullingar and already owns her own home, said she wants to show that success doesn't require chasing a "corporate ladder" career such as teaching or nursing. She also discussed her family's embrace of the Irish language, noting her father legally changed the family surname from Cox to Ní Choiligh, and spoke about supporting Irish-made fashion, cosmetics and hair products as part of a broader cultural revival she sees taking place in Ireland.
- New Rose of Tralee winner has alopecia, trains as a wig maker.
- She jokingly declined to style Donald Trump's disputed hairpiece.
- She champions small-town success and Ireland's cultural/language revival.
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Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh, a 26-year-old from Westmeath who works as a shop supervisor in Mullingar, was recently crowned Rose of Tralee, a well-known Irish festival and competition that celebrates young women with Irish heritage from around the world. She has alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss, and has spoken publicly about wearing a wig since she was 15; she is also training to become a professional wig maker. Her win has attracted attention partly because of her openness about this and her career ambitions in an unconventional field.
The story has gained extra attention because it coincides with a planned visit to Ireland by US President Donald Trump, whose hairstyle has long been a subject of public comment and speculation. In interviews following her win, Ní Choiligh was asked whether she would style his hair, and she responded with a lighthearted comment ruling this out.
Beyond the Trump angle, the wider profile touches on her views about career choices, her family's connection to the Irish language, including her father's decision to legally change the family surname, and her support for Irish-made fashion and beauty products.