US Rose of Tralee contestant has strong Mayo roots

When Soracha McGrath steps onto the stage at the Rose of Tralee Festival this August, she will carry with her not only the banner of Washington, D.C., but the deep roots of her family’s heritage in Mayo. Representing the United States capital at one of Ireland’s most beloved cultural events is a proud moment for any young Irish woman, but for 25-year-old Soracha, the honour feels especially poignant.

“My heart is always in Ireland,” she told the Western People. “And Mayo is the root of that.” 

Born in Dublin to Seán and Valerie McGrath, originally of Kilbeg and Carrowsteelaun, near Claremorris, Soracha spent her early years immersed in the rhythms of Irish life. She began pre-school in Claremorris before her family moved to Dublin in the early 2000s. But it wasn’t long before the family were packing their bags once more - this time bound for Washington, D.C., where Seán’s work brought them when Soracha was 13.

Though life in the US capital would shape her teenage years and academic journey, she never lost touch with her Irish roots. Summers in Claremorris, surrounded by cousins and grandparents, formed a deep bond with the west of Ireland.

“We used to go down every summer,” she recalls fondly. “My Nana, Carmel, who sadly passed away last year, would always make us sit down and watch the Rose of Tralee together. It became a real tradition.” 

That early ritual laid the groundwork for what would become a personal dream: to one day wear the sash of a Rose contestant. After entering the D.C. Rose selection process for the first time two years ago, Soracha found herself drawn not just to the competition, but to the sense of community it offered.

“I met some of my best friends through it,” she says. “And actually, I met my boyfriend through the Rose Centre as well. He’s a redheaded Italian. He has no Irish heritage but he’s been so supportive. I thought, if I get the chance to do it again, and actually go to Tralee, why not?” 

In April 2025, she did just that by becoming the official Washington, D.C., Rose.

The path to selection involved an intensive, three-day process. Contestants submitted personal reflections on heritage and identity, then participated in interviews with a panel of judges who looked not just for charisma, but also for substance. Chatting with Soracha, she exudes plenty of both. The final round included an on-stage presence assessment, similar in style to the well-known televised segment in Tralee.

“They wanted to know who you are, what you believe in, and what your values are as a young Irish woman,” she says. “It was less about performance and more about authenticity.” 

For Soracha, that authenticity is deeply rooted in her dual identity as both Irish and international. Her educational journey reflects that fusion. After high school in D.C. at the aptly named 'School Without Walls', where students explored the city as their classroom - she returned to Dublin for university.

“I studied politics, philosophy, and economics at UCD,” Soracha said. “It was always my goal to return to Washington and work in international development. That’s what drew me to the World Bank.” 

Since 2022, Soracha has worked as a Junior Professional Associate at the World Bank Group, engaging with pressing global challenges at one of the most prestigious development institutions in the world. Now, she’s preparing to begin a master’s in international business at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business this autumn, a trajectory that reflects both her ambition and her international mindset.

But despite her professional achievements, she’s never let go of her hometown ties. Soracha is the granddaughter of the late PJ and Phil McGrath and of Val and Carmel Heaney - names that are well-known in Claremorris and Mayo GAA circles. Her connection to Mayo remains visceral, and she proudly flies the green and red whenever she gets the chance.

“I’m fiercely proud of my Mayo heritage,” Soracha says. “Any time I’m home, I try to catch a match. There’s something about being in MacHale Park, surrounded by that energy, that just feels like home.” 

It’s that layered experience - of village life and global capitals, of tradition and progress - that Soracha hopes to share on stage in Tralee. She’s particularly passionate about speaking to the experiences of Irish emigrants and returnees, many of whom straddle two worlds.

“There’s this sense of displacement sometimes - of belonging everywhere and nowhere at once. I really want to speak to that. You can be Irish in many different ways. Home isn’t just one place.” 

When asked what it was like returning to Ireland at age 18, she admits it was a challenge. After five formative years in the States, reconnecting with her peers and adjusting to student life at UCD required some adaptation.

“But I think that experience taught me resilience,” she says. “And also, it reminded me of what I loved most about home - how close-knit everything is, how supportive the community is. That’s something I carry with me every day.” 

Support is a recurring theme in her life. Whether it's family, friends, or mentors, Soracha is quick to credit those who’ve encouraged her.

“My parents have always been my biggest supporters,” she says. “They’ve always taught me to be proud of where I come from.” 

That pride is evident in her enthusiasm for the Rose of Tralee festival, not just as a platform for cultural exchange, but as a celebration of Irish women in all their diversity.

“This isn’t a beauty pageant,” she insists. “It’s about representation, voice, and connection. You meet women from all walks of life - doctors, teachers, students, entrepreneurs - and what unites us is this shared love of our heritage.” 

Outside of her career and Rose commitments, Soracha maintains a busy life. A former basketball player at UCD, she also grew up playing football, camogie, and hockey. In her school years, she had a keen interest in drama and performance, often participating in theatre and poetry events under the guidance of her much-loved teacher, the late Mrs Jewell.

Now, as she prepares for a summer that will be both a personal and public milestone, she’s reflective but excited.

“This feels like a full-circle moment. I started out watching the Roses with my Nana in Claremorris, and now I’ll be one of them. It’s surreal, but also deeply meaningful.” 

What comes after Tralee remains to be seen. With her upcoming postgraduate studies and a thriving career ahead, Soracha is keeping her options open. Washington, D.C., may remain her professional base, but her heart, she says, will always beat with a Mayo rhythm.

And in her own words, “It’s nice to have two homes.” 

Soracha’s bubbly personality and enthusiastic personality, are infectious.

“Up Mayo,” she laughs as the interview draws to a close, the familiar rallying cry ringing through loud and clear.

From Kilbeg to Capitol Hill, from Claremorris to Georgetown, it’s clear that Soracha’s story is only just beginning. And whether she lifts the Rose of Tralee crown this August or not, one thing is certain: she’s already a shining example of what it means to represent modern Ireland with grace, intelligence and heart.