PHOTOS: Meet The Kerry Rose 2019 Contestants

THE Kerry Rose 2019 Selection Night is taking place in Ballyroe Heights Hotel this Saturday, so it’s about time you met the 18 ladies, hailing from all over the county, vying for the crown…

ALISON McGALEY-  SPONSORED BY KERRY CORK HEALTH LINK BUS

23 year old Alison McGaley from Castleisland is a Department Manager in Michael Guineys Tralee. She works in Michael Guineys.

Alison has a passion for musical theatre and singing; and holds a diploma in Musical Theatre from the Irish Board of Speech and Drama.

Last November Alison recorded an album in aid of the Kerry Cork Health Kink Bus and raised €6,525 for the charity. She enjoys the cinema and theatre, and Julie Andrews is a person who inspires Alison.

She hopes to study health care in the future as working with the elderly was always something Alison wanted to pursue.

AOIFE FITZGERALD – SPONSORED BY FOGARTY’S CENTRA WATERVILLE

Aoife is a primary school teacher working in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork.

The 24-year-old Waterville native loves to travel and her escapades include a 10 week trip to India with the SUAS Volunteer Programme and a summer spent in the USA as a camp counsellor.

Being active is important to Aoife having been a member of football, basketball and rowing teams. She has completed 2 half marathons, numerous Quest Adventure Races and is participating in this year’s Ring of Kerry Cycle supporting Cúnamh Iveragh.

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AOIFE O’CONNOR – SPONSORED BY RESILIENCE CARE

26 year old Aoife from Beaufort works as an S.N.A at St Francis Special School, having graduated with a B.A in Early Childhood Care and Education in 2015.

She also works part time with Resilience Care, offering support to families who have children with special needs. Travel is always something in the back of Aoife’s mind, she has travelled to Australia, America and mostly recently last year visited Kenya.

Aoife is outgoing, up for a challenge and likes to catch up with family and friends who mean a lot to her.

ELAINE KELLIHER – SPONSORED BY HUB HAIR SALON

Elaine is a Primary Teacher currently working in St. Francis Special School, Beaufort having obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Early Child Care and Education from the Institute of Technology, Tralee.

Elaine is passionate about education and went on to complete a PME in Primary Education with Hibernia College.

She has a keen interest in travelling and has visited America, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Hungary.

Elaine is also passionate about health and fitness. She plays with St.Anne’s Basketball club, Farranfore and has coached many underage teams.

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EMER FORDE – SPONSORED BY THE PLAYDIUM

18 year old Emer from Ardfert hopes to become a Paramedic or a Disability Nurse. She is currently studying a healthcare course and has completed a PHECC First Aid course.

Emer enjoys spending time with close family and taking care of her younger siblings with special needs. In 2017 Emer was crowned the Ballyheigue Festival Queen and loves being apart of the local community, helping out as much as possible.

FIONA O’CONNELL – SPONSORED BY TIMMY BROSNAN SCHOOL OF MOTORING

Fiona is currently working in the Trinity-St James campus in Trinity’s Translational Medicine Institute in Oesophageal Cancer Research.

Her mother is from Lyreacrompane where Fiona lived for 5 years while working in the Community Nursing Unit, Tralee;and studying at the University of Limerick for her Bachelor in Physical Chemistry concurrent with Education where she became a STEAM and Science Magic enthusiast.

After teaching for a year, Fiona returned to NUI Galway to complete her Masters in Cancer Research. She’s an avid member of her Local Macra Club Awbeg, whom she competes in national events with.

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KAREN DINEEN – SPONSORED BY INEC KILLARNEY

21 year old Karen has just completed four years of study in Mary Immaculate College Limerick where she studied Early Childhood Care and Education.

For the past three years, Karen has been working in the INEC Killarney, as a Box Office Assistant and Usher. She enjoys walking and is a lover of Gaelic football.

She also enjoys spending time with her friends. Being an only child, Karen is very close to her family and is a firm believer in the saying ‘Family is everything’.

LEANNE HAUSSMANN – SPONSORED BY LEE STRAND

Leanne is a Garda based in Tralee. The 23 year old grew up in Ballincollig Co. Cork, but moved to the Kingdom to pursue her career.

Leanne is an avid basketball player who now coaches Tralee Imperials underage girls. She volunteers with charities in Tralee and has worked previously with the Hope Foundation volunteering in India helping underprivileged children.

Leanne loves meeting new people, watching movies and spending time with her family.

MARY KATE McGUIRE – SPONSORED BY JACKIE O MAHONEY SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS

21 year old Mary Kate has just completed her studies in Applied Languages in UL, majoring in French and German. The Ballyheigue native has also recently been accepted to further study a Masters in Education in NUIG.

Mary Kate is a keen traveller and has visited much of Europe. She enjoys walking, basketball, singing and dancing and took part in Austin Stacks Strictly Come Dancing Event in the Dome last year for the charity, Inspired, a group very close to her and her family’s hearts.

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MEGAN COSTELLO – SPONSORED BY DUFFER TYRES

19 year old Megan was completing her studies with North Kerry College of Further Education, until she had a bad rally accident in which she sustained third degree burns.

The Tarbert native is still undergoing treatment for the burns and wishes to return to college this September to study Social Studies.

Megan is an ambassador for women and young people in Motorsport and she will continue to be a Rally Navigator in the future.

MICHAELA AHERN – SPONSORED BY MIKE O’DONOVAN TRANSPORT

Michaela works as a Customer Representative for Bord Gáis Energy in FEXCO Killorglin.
She is also a part time Beautician, qualified from Kerry College of Further Education.

The 21 year old Currow native  has been a member of her local basketball team St Mary’s Castleisland from the age of 6.

Michaela has won a number of competitions which led to her playing for the Kerry basketball team 4 years in a row, and winning Miss Basketball for the club back in 2016. She also has a great interest in football, horse riding and shopping .

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NAOIMH WHELTON – SPONSORED BY EXPOSE BEAUTY LOUNGE & HAIR STUDIO

21 year old Naoimh is studying Acting and Performance at Bow street Academy Dublin. She also works as a part time model for upfront model management.

Naoimh’s real passion is singing and from an early age she has been entertaining tourists from all over the world singing locally in hotels and bars around Kenmare.

She sings regularly for weddings and co ordinates the local youth liturgy choir.

Naoimh adores all animals and has worked part time for the last year in Pet Republic in Dublin. She is passionate about issues affecting young people, particularly mental health.

OLWYN TRANT – SPONSORED BY KEANES JEWELLERS

Olwyn from Killarney, is a primary school teacher with a first class honours degree from Mary Immaculate College; and now works in Holy Cross Mercy School Killarney.

The the 24 year old loves music, playing the violin and performing with her sisters at wedding ceremonies all over the country. Olwyn is a member of Killarney Musical Society and took part in this year’s production of The Sound of Music.

She finds adventure in everything she does; whether it’s water-sports , trampolining, escape rooms or roller-skating; Olwyn always has a story to tell.

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ROBYN O’CALLAGHAN – SPONSORED BY MD O’CALLAGHAN RACING

18-year-old Robyn is a student from Tralee, working in Muckross Park hotel as a Spa Therapist.

She graduated this year from the Kerry College of Further Education with a certificate in Beauty Therapy. This accomplishment came after three years battling health problems, which lead to Robyn leaving school in her 5th year.

She hopes to continue her studies in KCFE, in Nursing and Midwifery. Robyn has a variety of interests including horse riding, dancing and art. She has modeled for Palliative Care and dressed up as Snow White for children during the Tralee Food Festival.

SALLY-ANN LEAHY – SPONSORED BY CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S FUND TRALEE & DISTRICT LTD

Sally-Ann is a Home Economics teacher and Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator in Meán Scoil Nua an Leith-Tríuigh, Castlegregory.

The 27-year-old from Causeway recently graduated with a First-Class Honours Masters in Management in Education. In 2014, Sally-Ann received a Diploma in Beauty Therapy and Holistic Massage.

She also was awarded a First-Class Honours Post Graduate Diploma in Special Education Needs from St. Angela’s College Sligo in 2016.

Sally-Ann is an active volunteer with Chernobyl Children’s Fund, Tralee welcoming children into her home during the summer and recently travelling to Belarus to volunteer in an orphanage.

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SHANNAN ANNE HOWE –  SPONSORED BY KILLARNEY COUNTRY CLUB

21 year old Shannon is the oldest of 5 siblings – 3 sisters and a little brother.  She works as a Health Care Assistant and has huge involvement with the CCE, being a Seanos, Set and Brush dancer herself.

In addition to her passion for helping people and Irish music and Dance; she enjoys art, being out in the fresh air and spending quality time with her family and friends – all on top of being a shopaholic.

SHANNON O’NEILL – SPONSORED BY FEXCO

Shannon works in FEXCO in Killorglin for Bord Gáìs Energy as a process support coach. Having recently turned 20 years of age, the Cromane native is a very independent young woman and has a great interest in rowing and football.

She holds several All-Ireland medals. Shannon loves baking and from a young age has had a very creative side. She also enjoys shopping and socializing with friends.

SOPHIA BINGHAM – SPONSORED BY IEG SPORTS
25 year old Sophia is a Beautician and has Animal Care experience from Plumpton College in England.

She moved to Ireland last year. Sophia loves travelling, and has been to Spain, Oman, America and Cuba.

She love animals and enjoys charity work, and recently volunteered with the Irish Guide Dogs. Sophia’s favourite sports are tennis, basketball and horse riding.