I N T E R N AT I O N A L R O S E S 2 0 1 5
I N T E R N AT I O N A L R O S E S 2 0 1 5 A longer version of each Rose’s autobiography is available on our website
A longer version of each Rose’s autobiography is available on our website
www.roseoftralee.ie
GALWAY
GERMANY
MELBOURNE JOY KERRIGAN
MICHELLE CAULFIELD
I am 25 years old and from the lovely village of Moycullen. I’m one of six girls and love being part of such a big, close-knit family! I have worked for the past two years in Trinity College as a Psychology Researcher, where I manage a study aiming to reduce social isolation. I also have a keen interest in entrepreneurship and will combine these career interests by returning to complete a master’s in Business Psychology this September. I’m an avid equestrian enthusiast, tag rugby player and runner. Supporting people with learning disabilities is a huge part of my life and I volunteer weekly assisting with therapeutic horse-riding lessons. I am also an active volunteer with Special Olympics.
Guten Tag! I was born in Birmingham, England 22 years ago, but raised in Rush, Dublin. Since January 2014, I am lucky to call the amazing and diverse city of Berlin my home and even luckier to be the Germany Rose. I speak German and work in a multilingual Kindergarten in Berlin. I also have a decent level of French and understand some Spanish. I believe my love of languages is inspired by my sisters and I having always attended Gaelscoileanna. In Germany I have made friends from all over the world and we have shared our cultures. I have grown up playing Gaelic and Camoige with St.Maurs Gaa and I am a member of Setanta Berlin. My father and I are obsessed with supporting Aston Villa.
I am 24 years old and I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. I moved to Melbourne with my family in June 2010 and have fallen completely in love with it. I am the third of four girls and absolutely love having a big family. My Pa, James Kerrigan, was born in Edenderry, a town in Country Offaly, where his father was Bank Manager of the Hibernian Bank of Ireland. When he was four years old he moved to Athy, where he remained until moving to Zimbabwe. In 2014 I completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Psychology and Drama and in 2015 I completed a Cert IV in Finance and Broking. I am currently working full time with ANZ Mortgage Solutions. A few of my hobbies are sailing, dancing, painting, singing and travelling.
I am 27 years old and I hail from the lovely village of Scotstown in County Monaghan. I’m the oldest of four children and I am grateful to be part of a very close knit family! I am a Junior Infants teacher in Palmerstown, County Dublin. I knew from a very young age that I really enjoyed working with children and youth work is a huge part of my life! My involvement with Rainbows Ireland and Focus Ireland has allowed me to meet the most inspirational children. I absolutely love to travel and have spent summers in California, Miami and Thailand! I’m so honoured and proud to be representing the ‘Farney County’ this year and I know this is going to be an unforgettable year of new experiences, new friendships and making a difference!
OLGA LEE
KENTUCKY
EMILY HUGHES
I’m 22 years old and I was born and bred in Louisville, Kentucky but I have to say I am one proud Irish gal. My parents, who are from County Tyrone, ventured to the States in 1981. In 2014, I graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in History and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. After graduation I accepted an opportunity to pursue one of my passions in life, fitness, and became a barre and aerial fitness instructor. I would not trade this job for the world. It is very touching when my clients tell me that I have made a positive impact in their lives and health. I am a big believer that if you are capable of helping someone in need than you should take advantage of that.
RÓISÍN NÍ MHATHÚNA
MONAGHAN
JULETT CULLOTY
SOPHIE COLGAN
NEW YORK
NEW ZEALAND
I hail from the beautiful Kilcummin, Killarney and at 25, I am the second youngest of eight children. I work as a social care worker and I recently started working with Rehab Care Group, working with adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health difficulties so this is a really exciting time for me. I am a huge Kerry supporter and unfortunately a huge Liverpool fan. My ambition is to raise awareness of cancer, after I was diagnosed with the illness last year. With the past number of months I have become involved in delivering talks to the public and to people whose lives have been affected by cancer in a bid to give them a sense of hope and positivity.
I’m 23 and delighted to be the 2015 New York Rose. I come from Lisnacree, in Co. Down where I grew up in a family of nine. After graduating with a degree in Communications and PR, I pursued my dream of moving to NY. I work as an Intern for Construction Company J.T. Magen in Manhattan, whilst pursuing a career in Public Relations in the non-profit industry. A great passion of mine is to contribute to the wellbeing of the Irish American community in New York. Emigration can leave people feeling isolated, and unfortunately many people do not have access to health care. It is vital to raise awareness and encourage people to talk, and I am honored to be involved with Pieta House and their mission to expand to the US.
I am from Queenstown, the most beautiful place in New Zealand, and also the burial place of my great, great, great grandfather, William Egan from Killenaule, Tipperary. He arrived in Queenstown in 1867 and now has 300 descendants in our area! My great, great, great grandmother Mary Clifford left Castlemaine, County Kerry, and headed to New Zealand in 1877. We are still in contact with her family! I am a 21 year old University Student, completing post-graduate studies in Human Resources. Whenever I can, I escape home to my family in Queenstown to snowboard, tramp, waterski, wakeboard and generally enjoy the great outdoors. I share my good fortune in life with a 12 year old “buddy” called Willow, who I have been paired through the volunteer Big Buddy Programme in Dunedin.
PERTH
PHILADELPHIA
KERRY
MAGGIE FEA
LONDON
LONGFORD
I am 27 and was born and raised in The Netherlands by my Galwegian mother and Kerryborn father. I was part of the Redmond School of Irish Dancing performing across the Benelux countries. I completed my Junior Cert and Leaving Cert in Galway and completed my Medical Degree at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, graduating as a Doctor at the age of 22. Since graduating I have worked in England, Ireland and Australia and am now specialising in Emergency Medicine. Some of my unforgettable experiences include volunteering at Over The Wall Children’s Camp – a camp for children with serious, life limiting illnesses. I love music and during Uni I formed an Irish band called the Celtic Ti-grrs.
I am a proud native of Newtownforbes, Co. Longford. I am 25 years old and a primary school teacher in a two-teacher school in Longford, having graduated from Trinity College in 2010. I love all things musical, including playing the piano and taking part in musical productions with St. Mel’s Musical Society. I play football with my local ladies Gaelic football club, Clonguish CLG, although I am usually found warming the bench. I am a life-long member of Longford Mental Health Association, which promotes positive mental health and supports those recovering from mental illness, and their families and carers. I love to travel, but as luck would have it, whilst I was travelling to Lebanon, a chance encounter with a group of Roses travelling to Chernobyl led me to apply to become Longford Rose.
I am honoured to be selected as the 2015 Perth Rose of Tralee. I moved from Ireland to the very sunny Perth almost four years ago and now consider both places to be my home. I thoroughly enjoy the outdoor lifestyle Perth has to offer, especially having barbeques with my partner and friends on the beautiful Swan River overlooking the ever-changing city skyline. I am 27 and currently completing a Bachelor of Science Degree (Nursing) at Curtin University. I am very excited to attend the Rose of Tralee International Festival, as becoming a Rose has always been a childhood dream of mine. This once in a lifetime opportunity will certainly be an unforgettable experience, meeting new people whilst bringing old friends and family together, I cannot wait!
I’m 27 and was raised outside Philadelphia with five sisters and one brother. My father, Mickey is from Co. Cavan, and mother, Breda from Co. Donegal. I became an avid traveller after a brilliant experience as an exchange student in St. Andrews, Scotland. I then went on to complete my degree in International Studies and Political Science from Arcadia University, taking full advantage of their programs to study in England, South Africa, the Netherlands and Taiwan. I currently work as a Culture Specialist for investment company, Vanguard Group. I have volunteered as a mentor with the Youth Mentoring Partnership, a program committed to helping kids master goal setting skills, build mental toughness, and forge character through intense physical fitness and sports.
LOUTH
MEATH
QUEENSLAND
SCOTLAND
I’m 19 years old and I live in a small quaint place called Cooley in Ireland’s smallest county, Louth! There is a lot of great things about Louth including my local village Carlingford, which is an extremely popular tourist destination. With the views of the Mourne Mountains, Queen Maeve’s Gap and the famous King John’s Castle, it really is a brilliant place to live. I am absolutely delighted to be representing my county and hope to do everyone proud. At the minute I am finishing a one year course studying business in Maynooth University, however I hope to make it as a singer someday. I never thought in a million years I would get to be the Louth rose at the age of nineteen and I am absolutely delighted to have this amazing opportunity.
I am honoured to be this year’s Meath Rose. I am 22 years old and from the beautiful coastal village of Bettystown. I spent an amazing six years at Gormanston College Co Meath where I graduated with a Student of the Year medal. I am a second year medical student in the Royal College of Surgeons Dublin. I adore what I am studying although during exam season I always consider alternative career options, such as joining the circus. I have a keen interest in working with children and am involved with the RCSI Paediatric Society. I have also volunteered for the Irish Cancer Society. I have been involved with musical theatre from an early age. I made a bucket list two years ago and am slowly ticking things off!
I’m 25 years and very excited to be the 2015 Queensland Rose of Tralee. This is my 3rd year living in Australia and I absolutely love living in Brisbane. I grew up in Ireland spending half my life in Dublin and the other half in County Mayo. My family are now settled in County Meath. I am a primary school teacher having studied at St Patrick’s College in Dublin and am currently studying a Master of Education in Brisbane. Since being in Australia I have been working as a full time youth minister for NET Ministries. Having enjoyed ballet dancing from a young age, I now enjoy keeping fit and healthy, getting in a run or going hiking around Brisbane. I love fine dining, baking, being creative and I’m always up for a laugh.
I’m 25 and originally from Limerick. I moved to Edinburgh three years ago to complete a postgraduate in Primary Teaching. I am currently working in Dunfermline, Fife in St. Margaret’s Primary school. Sports are a love of mine, I play football with Dunedin Connollys in Edinburgh and I train at a CrossFit gym in Dunfermline. I am a former Bunratty Castle Entertainer, so I enjoy a good singsong now and then. I’m the youngest of four girls, auntie to three fantastic nephews and my amazing mother Anne, is the rock that holds our family together. As a family, we have done a lot of fundraising for Cliona’s Foundation, a Limerick based charity, which is very close to our hearts.
AISLING HILLARY
JENNY HANLON
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www.roseoftralee.ie
OfficiaL PROGRAMME 2015
DAPHNE HOWARD
ELYSHA BRENNAN
DENISE LYNCH
NIAMH HEALY
MAIRÉAD COMASKEY
BRÍD MADIGAN
OfficiaL PROGRAMME 2015
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