I N T E R N AT I O N A L R O S E S 2 0 1 7
Western Canada
Westmeath
I live in Calgary, Alberta and was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where my parents, Patrick and Kama decided to settle down. My father, Patrick, is from Co. Cavan and immigrated to Canada in 1976. My mother, Kama, is from Lynn Lake, a small mining town in Northern Manitoba. I have been working at a small environmental consulting firm for the past three years. My passion is dance; I attend Irish dance training twice a week, and I volunteer my time, teaching at my Irish dance Academy once per week.
I am 23 years old and from Glasson, the ‘Village of the Roses’, County Westmeath. Hockey provided an escape from academia, I played, coached and captained at school and club level. Having an interest in people, psychology was an obvious academic choice for me. I’ve just finished with a first class honours degree from Trinity College Dublin. I enjoyed my time there and sharing the campus with tourists nurtured my appreciation of this little country that we’re lucky to call home. Now at a junction in my career path, I plan to take a year out and consider my options.
Wexford
Wicklow
I live at the foothills of Mt. Leinster in the picturesque village of Ballindaggin, County Wexford. I work as a primary school teacher at Boolavogue National School where I teach a group of 30 incredible first and second class students. I have recently completed a master’s programme in Waterford Institute of Technology in the area of Leadership and Management in Education. I also work as an educational tutor with the Dyslexic Association of Ireland. I am passionate about music and Irish dance and have performed at the National Concert Hall, Dublin and the National Opera House in Wexford.
I have lived in Redcross, a small yet beautiful village close to the seaside, most of my life, having moved down from the busy life of Dublin. I currently work full time in the Wickow Brewery in Redcross village. I am a fully qualified ITEC and CIBTAC Beauty Therapist having attended Glenart College in Arklow, Co. Wicklow. I’ve always had a big interest in makeup and fashion and love experimenting and taking risks with them. I am very family focused and always ensure to make time to spend with them.
Eva Cooney
Sinéad McGahern
Panel of judges 2017
Julie Sinnott
ABBY McKENNA
Yorkshire
Qualifying Panel Ireland:
Orla Tobin
AISLING McARDLE
I grew up in a little town called Kingscourt in County Cavan. I had always wanted to become a Pharmacist but was unfortunate not to achieve the points required. After much encouragement from my mother, and some self-belief, I sat myself down and filled in the UCAS form to study Pharmacy in the UK. The rest is history! I’ve lived in Liverpool now for just under seven years and I love it. The people here, and in Yorkshire, are some of the nicest you could ever wish to come across and they know how to make you feel right at home.
Dympna Clerkin Jimmy Deenihan
2003 Rose of Tralee
RTÉ
Chairperson Kerry Sports & Recreation Partnership
Qualifying Panel Overseas:
International Panel
Nicola McEvoy
Brian O Pairceir
Brid McElligott
Mary Kennedy
Gerrie O’Grady
2012 Rose of Tralee
RTÉ
Institute of Technology Tralee
RTÉ Chairperson
The Rose Hotel 1999 Rose of Tralee
John O’Shea
Sheila Lawlor
Charlie O’Sullivan
Ger Humphreys Charlie O’Sullivan Sales Director, Tipperary Crystal
Antoinette Quinn
Deputy Chief Executive Kerry County Council
Stephen McNally
Our Host Dáithí Ó Sé Sales Manager Tipperary Crystal
The Rose Hotel/ 1980 Rose of Tralee
Deputy Chief Executive Kerry County Council
RTÉ Televised Selection Host
Dáithí O Sé has presented a variety of programmes on RTÉ television including Today with Maura and Dáithí, The Taste of Success, The Daily Show, Epic Walks, New Year’s Eve Live and as a judge on The All-Ireland Talent Show. This is Dáithí’s eight time presenting The Rose of Tralee and he has helped deliver the most watched Rose final in over a decade. Dáithí also took part in The Restaurant, RTÉ’s Celebrity You’re A Star in aid of the Make A Wish Foundation and Celebrities Go Wild for the People in Need Telethon.
HR Manager The Loop
Deputy CEO Maldron Hotel Group
Originally from Dingle in County Kerry, Dáithí studied in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick. He worked with TG4 for over 10 years as a weather presenter and presented a variety of programmes including Glór Tíre, Dáithí ar Highway 61 and Dáithí ar Route 66. Before becoming a weather presenter Dáithí worked as a teacher, a butcher, a ferry driver around the Blasket Islands and even did a short stint as a ringmaster with Duffy’s Circus. Dáithí has a long association with the Rose of Tralee International Festival. He was the Chairperson of the Judging Panel in 2009 when the Festival celebrated its 50th year.
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