The Kerry Rose selection takes place on this Sunday night in the Heights Hotel Killarney, so it’s time we got to know more about the 14 contestants…
Niamh De Jong
Niamh (21) is from the beautiful village of Sneem, where she spends each summer season working in her family’s restaurant.
Having a passion for sports and local history, Niamh is in her third year of studying Physical Education and History at UCC, where she recently received a Quercus College Scholarship. Her goal is to become a qualified personal trainer.
This year, she became active in promoting disability awareness, by becoming a UCC ID plus buddy and helping to organise a wheelchair basketball tournament for the IWA.
She loves to travel, and this summer will combine her love of History and the great outdoors to trek the Camino de Santiago in Spain and visit Pompeii with her younger sister.
Adelina Isufi
Born in Kosovo, Adelina (26) moved to Kerry with her family in 1999 during the Kosovo-Serbia war. She describes Kerry as her home, a place where she has established meaningful connections, a sense of security and a sense of belonging.
Adelina graduated from Munster Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing and works with St. John of God Kerry Services. She is passionate about helping others and is always at hand to offer a caring presence.
Adelina has a love for art and poetry, and one of her poems even featured in Listowel’s Writers’ week. She was also involved with Mental Health Public Speaking and is an advocate for positive mental health.
Aoife Cahill
Aoife (27) is a proud Tralee woman (with Donegal Roots!) and Library Assistant, sharing her love for reading with the younger generation through Storytimes in Tralee Library.
With a BA in psychology from UCD, she’s passionate about mental health advocacy, particularly the role of reading in supporting positive mental well-being. Coming from a sports mad family,
Aoife has tried her hand at many sports but has recently fallen in love with open water swimming, and swims year-round in Tralee Bay.
Aoife is a long-time volunteer with Chernobyl Children’s International, and after spending many Selection Nights selling raffle tickets for CCI in the dome, she’s excited for a new perspective on the festival!
Megan O’Donoghue
Megan O’Donoghue (25) is from Listowel and is a proud Kerry woman who is now living on the county bounds of Kerry & Cork.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Music Technology & Production and a Master of Arts in Media Studies. Over the years through her experiences in hospitality, events and the airwaves, she is known as someone who has a love for music, a passion for media and for making people smile.
When a pandemic hit, she opened the door to social media management and helped local businesses through tough times. After receiving support through the years, Megan gives back through volunteering in KDYS and is a strong advocate for support services.
Siobhán Goodwin
Siobhán (27) is proud to hail from the picturesque peninsula of Maharees, just north of the village of Castlegregory.
The sea plays a central role in Siobhán’s life. If she isn’t kayaking or swimming, she is rowing, and Currach racing is one of her main passions.
It is a tradition that runs deep within her family. Siobhán graduated from Mary Immaculate College in 2018 with a Bachelor of Education.
She taught in Co. Wexford for four years before the lure of home became too much and she made the inevitable move back to the Kingdom.
Since returning home, Siobhán can devote more time to playing and coaching football. She also starred in a local pantomime recently.
Abby Littlejohn
Though born in Dublin city to a Glaswegian father and a Dutch/Irish mother, Abby was raised in the small town of Kenmare in south Kerry.
She is currently studying Journalism with English at Ulster University, Coleraine and has just completed her first year there.
She usually spends most of her time either in class, working as a receptionist in the Kenmare Bay Hotel or in the university Sports Center or out spending time with her friends and family.
She is also an avid sports fan, and is happy to watch them all, but has competed in the national throwing competitions.
Leanne Hanafin
Leanne Hanafin (24) is from Tralee. In 2019, she graduated with a BA in Communication Studies from Dublin City University.
She works in radio, podcasting, social media and is also a DJ. Working in media, Leanne would like to be a role model for women in this industry. She has a strong interest in GAA.
She previously held a role as Youth Representative for the GAA for 3 years, where she promoted Gaelic games and encouraged player retention to young people in the association by working on and developing various GAA projects and speaking at the National GAA, LGFA and Camogie Congresses. Leanne has a passion for content creation, music and travelling. She is also a pioneer.
Debbie Woulfe
Debbie Woulfe is 19 years old and lives in Listowel. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts degree in University of Limerick, and she hopes to pursue a degree in Occupational Therapy.
She works part time in John R’s Foodhall in Listowel. She really enjoys meeting the customers and having a chat with them. Growing up Debbie was involved in many sports, especially the community games.
She won a gold All Ireland medal in the community games project in 2015. She was swimming with Ballybunion swim club and won a gold and silver Munster medal.
Debbie loves listening to music, meeting friends, socialising, going to the gym and getting a day out on the motorbike with her dad.
Clodagh O’Connor
Clodagh (25), from Duagh, is a Social Care Worker with Kerry Parents and Friends Association. She works in a respite house that cares for adults with intellectual disabilities.
She is grateful to be able to help people improve their life skills and achieve their own personal goals. Clodagh is learning continuously in her job as there is always something new to explore. She has a love for travelling and getting to know new people.
She is passionate about raising awareness for mental health and is currently fundraising for Pieta House. In her spare time, she loves to go for walks with her two dogs and spend time reading.
Drew Hartnett – Connolly Jewellers
Drew (20), from Tralee, is a recent Bachelor’s graduate from NUIG with a degree in English and Psychology and is planning on a career in teaching.
She then intends on furthering her education in order to become a school counsellor, as her goal in life is to help others. While attending NUIG she was a Céim leader for first year psychology students, an opportunity she both thoroughly enjoyed and benefited greatly from.
Her time as a Céim leader inspired her future career choices and has afforded her the confidence to enter the Rose of Tralee.
Rachel Costello
Rachel (22) is from Listowel. She just completed her BA in Arts in UCC where she studied Music and History, and she will be starting her Professional Masters in Education in Secondary School Teaching in UCC this August.
Rachel is no stranger to the Rose of Tralee. She was a RoseBud in 2010 where she was paired with the New Orleans Rose, she has performed in the parades and was also an usher in the dome.
Rachel has a passion for music, especially singing and is a member of Tralee Musical Society where she performs in many of their musicals.
Maedhbh Hanafin
Hailing from Ballygarron the Spa, Maedhbh Hanafin (19) is a first-year classical music student in TUD. She has a huge grá for music and hopes to become a music therapist.
She loves to get involved in the community and fundraised for a web camera for the local church during Covid and received the pope awards for her efforts and won many music awards.
She took part in the Recovery Haven annual fundraiser last June which was a huge success. She has a love of farming having spent all her summers working on her Dad’s farm.
She’s a huge advocate for bringing music to those with Alzheimer’s and sings in the nursing homes as it’s a disease close to her heart.
Kelsey McCarthy
Kelsey, 21, is from the picturesque town of Cahersiveen. She is a University of Galway student, pursuing a degree in Podiatric Medicine and is set to graduate next year.
On completion of her degree, she plans to open her own practice in South Kerry. She has already established herself as a highly accomplished musician and singer. Her vocal talent has earned her the honour of performing for the esteemed President Michael D. Higgins on multiple occasions, in addition to lending her voice to narrate and sing in a film.
Alongside her passion for music, she is excited to embark on a journey of exploration around the globe. She loves to travel, meet new people, and embrace new cultures and opportunities.
Kaya Flynn
Kaya (24) is a broadcaster and Digital Media Specialist at Radio Kerry. Kaya’s dream career became a reality when she finished her Radio Broadcasting and Media Journalism course in Kerry College and started presenting her own radio show, Travels Through a Kingdom after her placement with Radio Kerry.
Kaya grew up in Castlemaine and was raised by her grandparents, John and Eileen. As she got older and delved into her career, Kaya realised how much of an impact growing up with her grandparents had on her and she is forever grateful for that.
She loves animals and spending most of her free time outside, as she realises how lucky we are to be able to breathe fresh Kerry air.
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THE National Transport Authority (NTA) and Kerry County Council/Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership have today announced details of Bike Week 2023, which runs from Saturday, May 13 to Sunday, May 21.
