Meet Roses
I N T E R N AT I O N A L R O S E S 2 0 1 6
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DEARBHLADH WALSH
I am 24 and from Cloneyhurke, just outside Portarlington, Co Offaly. I have two brothers and very supportive, caring and hardworking parents. I taught in the Presentation Primary School in Portarlington for three years before taking a career break last summer to make the move to the UAE. Teaching in a school outside of Ireland is a great learning curve for me as well as getting to enjoy the fantastic lifestyle that is on offer for expats in the UAE.
Arizona
Armagh
I am 23 and proud to come from the Grand Canyon State! After graduation from Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, I found employment as a public relations associate at Axiom Public Affairs – a local government affairs firm. My dad was born and raised in Dublin, where my grandad and many extended family members still reside. Participating in the Rose of Tralee is a wonderful way to honour my grandmother’s memory – who was a big reason for my applying.
I’m a 23-year-old Digital Marketer from a beautiful little village called Aghagallon. I graduated from The University of Ulster at Jordanstown in July 2015 with First Class Honours in Marketing and a Diploma in Industrial Studies. I have been privileged to wear the Orchard County camogie jersey. A voluntary school trip to Nairobi in Kenya to work with street boys has inspired my whole outlook on life. It was humbling to meet such deprived yet truly happy children and they enabled me to see the world with new eyes.
Boston & New England
Carlow
At 20, I am a rising senior at Fairfield University, pursuing a double-major in English and Communication accompanied by a Minor in Theatre. I am a proud member of the Honours Program and International English Honours Society, Sigma Tau Delta, seeking to pursue a career in public service. I was recently the first student from Fairfield to be nominated for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship. I am also a national and world-ranked Irish Step Dancer. My family ancestry is in County Cork.
I am 22 and have just completed a B.A. in Psychology at University College Dublin. I have a huge passion for positive psychology and mental health and hope to follow this side of psychology through voluntary and community work regardless of my career. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2006 and firmly believe that the drastic improvement in my health four years ago was down to nutrition and lifestyle changes. I love experiencing new people and things while getting outside my comfort zone.
Cavan
Chicago
I am 26 and from the parish of Ballinagh in the beautiful County Cavan. After receiving my Honours Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education, I was accepted into the University of Edinburgh to complete a Professional Graduate Diploma in Primary Education. After qualifying, I completed my first two years of teaching in a primary school in Edinburgh. I now teach in two amazing inner city schools in Dublin, as a Resource teacher and love every minute. Children really are the funniest people!
There is such a strong Irish presence in Chicago, particularly on the south side where I’m from and where the craic is always best! I am 27 and work as the Director of Development at Marist High School. I am passionate about raising money for families who could not otherwise afford Catholic education. I am actively involved in the Chick Evans Scholar Alumni Community. My grandmother, Brigid O’Neill, was born and raised in Maghera, Co. Derry. The McEldowney’s hail from Draperstown, Co. Derry.
Clare
CORK
I am 22 and from Barefield which is a small village just outside Ennis. I recently finished my final year in Mary Immaculate College where I studied Primary School Teaching. I have a keen interest in Irish Traditional Music and have played the fiddle for 15 years. I have participated in many Fleadhs down through the years in solo, group, band and duet competitions. I also have a strong interest in fashion and beauty and last year decided to start my own blog, Styleah.
I come from Knocknagree on the Cork/Kerry border and I’m from a family of seven, four of whom support Cork and three support Kerry. I have taught science and maths in Davis College, Mallow for the past four years and I’ve a keen interest in everything agricultural. As a child, I was the only girl on the underage Knocknagree football team and was also successful for Gneeveguilla Athletics Club. I recently volunteered for three weeks in Brother Beausang School near Nairobi, Kenya.
Ciara Archer
GRACE SCHILLER
Lisa Reilly
Leah Kenny
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Abu Dhabi
OfficiaL PROGRAMME 2016
A longer version of each Rose’s autobiography is available on our website www.roseoftralee.ie
MÉABH LENEHAN
Emma O’Byrne
MAGGIE McELDOWNEY
Denise Collins
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