Meet the Kerry Rose hopefuls who will vie for the honour of representing the county at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August. The selection night takes place in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday, May 23.
Linda Byrne – Sponsored by CH The Mall, Tralee
Linda lives and works in her hometown of Tralee, where she is a part time shop assistant in CH Chemists.
At only 23 years of age she has already completed a Bachelor of Business Studies from the University of Limerick and is currently partaking in a Hibernia College Professional Diploma in Education to become a secondary school teacher.
Linda is a very active person and in between coaching gymnastics and giving grinds to local neighbours, she also likes to swim.
Following in her passion for swimming, Linda is also a qualified beach lifeguard and has worked for Kerry County Council.
Shauna Cashell – Sponsored by Radleys I.T. LTD
Shauna is a 22 year old primary school teacher from Stacks Mountain, Kilflynn.
She graduated last May from Mary Immaculate College with an Honours Bachelor of Education degree.
Shauna was lucky enough to get the opportunity to return to her old primary school as a teacher where she is currently completing her probation, teaching third class in Dromclough National School.
Shauna believes in the importance of education and wishes to further her own education in the future by completing a Masters degree. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, dancing and travelling and hopes to see as much of the world as possible.
Siobhan Clifford – Sponsored by Síamsa Tíre
Siobhán is a 25-year-old primary school teacher at Scoil Bhríde in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare.
The Tralee native graduated from Mary Immaculate College with a B.Ed in Education & Psychology.
A classically trained musician and singer, she has completed Diplomas in Pianoforte and Music Theatre Performance with the London College of Music.
Siobhán is a member of Síamsa Tíre – The National Folk Theatre of Ireland – and participates in the company’s annual Summer Season, where she can combine her love of Irish dancing, music and song.
Siobhán’s other involvements include being a member of Naas Musical Society and a volunteer with Rainbows Ireland.
Mairead Cremins – Sponsored by Sandra’s Hair Salon
Mairead is 23 years old and a recent law graduate of Trinity College, Dublin.
Her passions include travelling, fashion and writing. She currently lives and works in Dublin while working with Google’s legal department. Mairead has volunteered with an orphanage in South East Asia in the past and she is planning to climb mount Kilimanjaro in the near future.
Mairead loves long walks on the beach, Bruce Springsteen and has a fear of spiders!
Aoife Dalton – Sponsored by John Ross Jewellers
Aoife is 21, and a native of Tralee.
She is a student at Mary Immaculate College Limerick, studying a Four Year Honours Degree in Liberal Arts and hopes to graduate in 2015. Aoife’s career plan is to complete her Bachelor of Education Studies and secure a teaching position.
While teaching has always been Aoife’s first love, she also took an interest in Drama and Stage School and spent many of her childhood years at the local Kerry School of Music participating in shows.
When Aoife isn’t glued to a computer screen on Facebook, she spends time with with her cousins and friends and has recently joined her local Civil Defence organisation.
Aoife is friendly, outgoing, loves to shop and enjoys socialising but above all else enjoys a positive approach to life.
Vanessa Earlie – Sponsored by Centra Killarney
Vanessa is 22 years of age and lives in her hometown of Killarney where she works as a trained Barista.
She is a a graduate of Aberystwyth University of Wales, graduating in 2013 with a B.A. in Drama and Theatre and Television and Film (Joint Honour). Singing is a great passion of hers and she has been both classically and traditionally trained.
Since moving home she has also worked as a P.A. and assistant director on two local projects.
Her ambition in life is to one day produce and direct for TV.
Mary Hickey – Sponsored by O’Donoghue Ring Hotels
From Rathmore, Mary is a primary school teacher in Millstreet, Co. Cork. The 26-year-old graduated from Trinity College with an honours degree and a Vere Foster Medal in 2010.
This September, Mary will undertake a Masters in Education. She is a leader with the Social Action Group, and volunteers with Barretstown Camp for children with serious illnesses.
She was recently awarded the Gold Gaisce President’s Award.
From Sliabh Luachra, Mary has a keen interest in music, playing the concertina. Mary is a member of the Marian Players Pantomime Group and the Glen Theatre.
Grace Kennelly – Sponsored by John F Maguire’s Pharmacy
Grace currently lives in Dublin where she works as a Doctor in Tallaght Hospital. The 25 year old Lixnaw native studied Medicine in NUIG completing her degree in 2013.
In 2011 whilst a student she became auditor of Volunteer services abroad, NUIG’s biggest charity helping to raise over €150,000 for VSA’s charity projects in the developing world.
In 2012 she travelled to Zambia as a medical volunteer.
Currently, she is organising the Tallaght/James Hospital Residents Committee Charity Ball in aid of Pieta House and Barrettstown. In her spare time she enjoys playing judo ,reading and long walks on the beach.
Sarah Linehan – Sponsored by Bons Secours Hospital, Tralee
Sarah is a 26 year old nurse who comes from Lixnaw and lives in Tralee. Sarah works in the Cath Lab in the Bon Secours and hopes to travel to Abu Dhabi at the end of this year to gain more cardiac experience in the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
She would love to return after that experience and do a Masters in Cardiac Nursing. She has her diploma in music and enjoys going to the gym and keeping fit.
Rosemarie McGrath – Sponsored by The Oyster Tavern
Rosie is currently living and working in Dublin as a Montessori teacher in The Teresian School, Donnybrook.
The 26 year old studied Montessori Education for four years at Saint Nicholas Montessori College, Dun Laoghaire. Prior to this, Rosie studied Fashion Design and Dress Making at the Grafton Academy, Dublin.
Having completed her degree in Montessori Education, Rosie attended the University of Cambridge, CELTA TEFL training course which she used that summer while teaching children in Valencia, Spain. This summer, Rosie is moving home to Kerry and will be working in her mother’s Montessori School Benin Casa here in Tralee in the coming September.Rosie enjoys being creative through different interests such as design, healthy cooking and holistic well-being. She hopes to include these interests into her teaching of young children.
Fiona McMahon – Sponsored by St Louis Nursing Home
Fiona lives and works in her hometown of Tralee, where she is a Health Care Assistant in Saint Louis Nursing Home.
The 23 year old studied Art, Craft and Design in her local college in 2007 where her love of painting and designing began.
She enjoyed helping people and became a carer to assist and help the elderly with daily needs. She branched out shortly after becoming a Carer into Home Care for Saint Louis Nursing Home and enjoys the one on one relationship she gets with the people she met through this.
Fiona hopes to one day make Home Care for the elderly and unwell her full time career.
Sinead Moriarty – Sponsored by The Marina Inn, Dingle
Sinead is 20 years old and living in Lispole. She hopes to start in Foxhall College to study Beauty Therapy.
She has been participant in the Oliver Hurley School of Musical Theatre for the last four years and recently took the lead role in the pantomime ‘Cinderella’ with the local drama group Aisteoirí Bhreanaín.
She is currently working in a family run business the Marina Inn Bar/Restaurant and is honoured to be sponsored by them as it was always a dream of hers to go for the Kerry Rose. Run by the Kavanaghs she truly enjoys working there because it’s like home from home and she feels like part of the family.
Sarah Mullins – Sponsored by The Irish Rehead Convention
Sarah is a 24 year old Tralee native currently finishing her final year of her degree in Genetics in University College Cork.
She was selected as Queen of the Redheads for 2013/14 at the Irish Redhead Convention in Crosshaven, Co. Cork, which raises money for the Irish Cancer Society.
Sarah’s keen interest in sport and music had led to her captaining the UCC Trampoline, Tumbling and Gymnastics club and excelling at both guitar-playing and singing.
She hopes to continue her education next year with a masters in Genetic Counselling.
Clíodhna Ní Dheargáin – Sponsored by An Lár-Ionad Oideachais Dingle
Clíonadh is from Lispole. She is an Irish and English teacher in The Intermediate School Killorglin. Having qualified from University College Cork in 2008 she completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Education at Trinity College Dublin.
Clíonadh is a member of The Killarney Musical Society and recently performed in their production of Jesus Christ Superstar in the INEC. She is involved in schools debating and public speaking.
She also works for the local Irish College Coláistí Chorcha Dhuibhne during the summer. She has completed three half marathons and recently participated in this year’s Darkness Into Light 5km run in Killarney.
Clíonadh is very involved and participates in many local community activities in Lispole.
Cora O’Connor – Sponsored by Simply Be
Cora grew up in Farmers Bridge but has resided at the family run business, The Anvil Bar in Boolteens for the past 14 years. The 24 year old graduated from the IT Tralee last year with a degree in General Nursing and has also completed Wound Management in UCC this year.
She currently works in Ashborough Lodge Residential Care & Dingle Medical Centre as a Practice Nurse. Cora is sponsored by SimpleBe.ie after winning their ‘Curvy’ competition last year and becoming the face of their online brand for 2014.
This experience has seen her appearing on the cover of their Spring/Summer catalogue as well as on TV3’s Ireland AM and Xpose. Cora has an interest in singing and charity work during her spare time, having participated in a Bungee jump & Skydive for local Bee for Battens charity. She has also travelled to Belarus to volunteer in The Gorodishche Orphanage, which she hopes to return to soon.
Áine O Sullivan – Sponsored by Exceptional Villas
Áine lives and works in her hometown of Kenmare. She is working as a Caribbean Villa Specialist in Exceptional Villas for just 6 months now and is really enjoying her new role.
The 26 year old qualified with a Diploma in Beauty Therapy from the Cork College of Commerce in 2008 and has worked in Beauty in Kerry and Cork over the past 5 years.
She is a keen traveller and has spent a lot of time working and holidaying in the USA and now gets to travel a lot with her new job which she loves. Áine also has a hugepassion for her little hometown of Neidin and loves going for walks there, socialising and going out to eat in the many amazing restaurants there with her friends.
Aisling O’Carroll – Sponsored by Light Opera Society of Tralee
Aisling, a native of Tralee is currently living in Dublin and has just come to the end of a BA in German and Italian at Trinity College Dublin.
Aisling also teaches violin, viola and voice at both the Mezzo Music Academy in Dublin, and the Kerry School of Music here in Tralee.
She is a classically trained, award winning soprano and performs regularly throughout the county and in Dublin where she studies with Dr. Veronica Dunne.
In her spare time Aisling loves to read, run, bake and practice yoga. She hopes to pursue a MA in Arts Management and Cultural Policy in UCD next year.
Adele O’Herlihy – Sponsored by Bella Bia
Adele grew up in Tralee before attending University College Cork where she studied law.She went on to receive a master’s degree in Commercial Law from University College Dublin.
She currently lives in Dublin where she works as a solicitor for A&L Goodbody. Adele has travelled throughout Asia, North and South America, Africa, Europe and Australia. Adele has a passion for health and fitness. She enjoys hiking, cycling and yoga.
Last year she cycled across Madagascar for charity and is due to cycle the Ring of Kerry and a round trip to Belfast this summer.
Adele enjoys volunteering – she has worked as a legal advocate in Cambodia, does pro-bono work for the Refugee Council of Ireland and is involved with various children’s charities.
Louise O’Shea – Sponsored by Waterville House & Golf Links
Louise is a newly qualified primary school teacher having just completed the Graduate Diploma in Education in Mary Immaculate College. Previous to this Louise graduated from the Institute of Technology, Tralee in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Adventure Tourism Management.
Louise comes from the small village of Ballinskelligs in South Kerry, a place which she has the utmost admiration for and speaks proudly of its wonderful beaches, scenery and people. Louise is an outgoing, trustworthy, energetic person who loves nothing more than meeting new people, learning new things and living life to the fullest.
Louise is very proud to be representing the Waterville House & Golf Links for the Kerry Rose Selection.
Joeann Riordan – Sponsored by Killarney Hair Studio
Joeann is from Abbeyfeale and works as a Hair Stylist in Killarney Hair Studio.
She is 23 years old and has been a stylist for the past 6 years. She hopes to one day go into business for herself and own her own hair salon. Joeann is a keen fitness enthusiast who enjoys Irish dancing, jogging and going to the gym.
She also likes to cook, particularly Thai cuisine, which she became familiar through her sister-in-law.
Joeann is very much family orientated and enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Jennifer Savage – Sponsored by Friends Of Kerry General Hospital
Jennifer hails from the parish of Ballymacelligott.
The 27-year-old studied Accountancy in University College Cork graduating in 2008 before commencing a training program with Deloitte Accountancy firm.
She graduated from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland in 2012. She currently lives in Dublin where she works as a financial analyst for Sky Ireland.
Jennifer enjoys travelling, horse-riding, keeping fit and fundraising having climbed Ireland’s four highest peaks in three days in aid of the homeless and is currently training for a Mini Marathon to raise funds for Barretstown Children’s charity.
Caoimhe Scannell – Sponsored by Outlook Magazines
Caoimhe is a 26 year old Listowel native. She works as Sales and Marketing Executive for Outlook Magazines.
Her time is spent travelling the county devising advertising campaigns for her clients. She qualified with a BA Marketing Management Degree from Swansea Metropolitan University in 2010.
Caoimhe is very passionate about promoting local businesses and is an active member of The Tralee Chamber Alliance.
She has been a member of MS Ireland for the past seven years. She just completed her first couch to 5km with The Kerry Crusaders and has commenced training for the Flora Mini Marathon.
Michelle Sugrue – Sponsored by Knocknagoshel GAA
Michelle was born and raised in Knocknagoshel. Michelle works in Killarney, where she is a carer in Our Lady Of Lourdes Nursing Home. Michelle has completed her Healthcare Assistant course in 2012 and has been working in the nursing home since.
The 22-year-old is very passionate about her work and hopes to further her career by becoming a nurse in the near future.
Michelle took part in the Knocknagoshel festival last year and was then crowned the 2013 Harvest Queen. Michelle enjoys organising events for both family and friends.
Emma Treacy – Sponsored by O Neill’s The Point Seafood Bar
Emma Treacy lives in Valentia Island and works in FEXCO in Cahirciveen as a Customer Services Representative.
The 22 year old studied Liberal Arts in Mary Immaculate College where she majored in Irish and Geography.
She also completed a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and lived in Spain for a year.
She graduated in October 2013 and is currently undertaking a postgraduate degree in Primary Teaching with Hibernia College.
Emma is an active member in the community, organises events for local charities, and is involved with the local youth club. Emma enjoys baking, exercising and travelling.
Maria Ward – Sponsored by Bianconi Inn
Maria lives in Killorglin where she is resident pianist in Nicks Restaurant.
She is a qualified Music Therapist and currently is concentrating on creating and developing a music therapy service in Schools for Children with Autism and Kerry Hospice amongst other facilities across the South West area.
Originally from Sligo, Maria has worked with the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust, Barretstown Camp for Kids with Serious Illness and various facilities in Carlow before being captivated by the picturesque scenery and work opportunities Co. Kerry had to offer.
Sara Jane Whitehead – Sponsored by Holbein Carpentry & Joinery Ltd
Sara-Jane works as a technical writer and instructional designer for Technically Write IT.
At 27 she lives in Kenmare with her boyfriend, Colm. She qualified with a BA in English and Philosophy, followed by an MA in Irish Writing in 2010, both with UCC.
Sara-Jane has sung throughout her life, she performed with the Irish Youth Choir and also gained a Special Achiever’s Award for her grade 6 singing exam.
She has also worked as a singing teacher. Her interests include travelling, walking, running and discovering new music. In the future, she hopes to continue her studies to PhD level.
Maggie Mae Pierce – Sponsored by Motivation.ie
Maggie Mae is a 19 year old 1st year Arts International student in UCC from Ballybunion.
She would like to qualify as a primary school teacher in the future. At the weekends Maggie enjoys working as a receptionist in Motivation Weight Management Clinic in Tralee.
In her spare time she loves to play football with her local club, Beale. Maggie is passionate about the great outdoors and loves the beach and the coastal scenery that Ballybunion has to offer.
Maggie hopes to travel the world and experience new things.
The Royal Munster Fusiliers Association, the Western Front Association, the Great War Society and Kerry Library will stage information days and an exhibition in Tralee Library on Friday and Saturday, May 23-24 from 10am to 5pm on the “Royal Munster Fusiliers Association and the Kerry connection.”
