THE Ballyroe Heights Hotel saw its fair share of glamour and style at the weekend.
On Friday the Connect Kerry Women In Business awards took place while on Saturday it was the turn of the Kerry Rose contestants and their supporters to dress to impress.
Celine O’Shea was chosen at the Kerry Rose to represent the county at the festival this August but she was matched in the glamour stakes by the other contestants as you can see below…
THE Kerry Rose has been chosen and she hails from Cahersiveen.
Celine O’Shea’s name was called out by Daithi Ó Sé at the end of the Kerry Rose Selection last night at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel.
Celine is a social care worker and works as a Dementia activities facilitator in St Luke’s Home, Cork.
The 25 year old from Cahersiveen is currently completing a postgraduate certificate in Dementia Care with Trinity College Dublin.
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She loves to travel and has been to countries Australia, Canada, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Italy and America. Equally Celine loves remaining connected to her local community.
Being active has always been important to Celine having been a member of teams for football, rowing and running over the years.
AMIE MCNAMARA SPONSORED BY THE THATCH
Amie is 20 years old from Listowel, County Kerry. Having just completed first year nursing in UCD, Amie finds helping patients highly fulfilling and rewarding and just completed placement in Blackrock Clinic, Dublin.
A big Kerry GAA fan, she has been attending games since 7 years old! Amie is a keen traveller, having travelled to both Australia and Singapore & one day hopes to practice nursing Down Under!
BRÍDE EVANS SPONSORED BY THE KERRYMAN
22-year-old Bríde Evans from Lios Póil is a Home Economics and Gaeilge teacher at Cork Educate Together Secondary School. Bríde was educated at Scoil Naomh Eoin Baiste, Lios Póil, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne and St. Angela’s College, Sligo.
Bríde loves singing, music, GAA and Irish dancing. She wishes to be an ambassador for her community, and do her sponsors, The Kerryman proud. She has also lived with Ulcerative Colitis from a young age and has attempted to shed light on her illness and tackle the stigma surrounding it.
CELINE O’SHEA SPONSORED BY ST LUKE’S HOME
Celine is a social care worker and works as a Dementia activities facilitator in St Luke’s Home, Cork.
The 25 year old from Cahersiveen is currently completing a postgraduate certificate in Dementia Care with Trinity College Dublin. Celine loves to travel and has been to countries Australia, Canada, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Italy and America. Equally Celine loves remaining connected to her local community.
Being active has always been important to Celine having been a member of teams for football, rowing and running over the years. Celine plays tag rugby and this month is completing a climb of Carrauntoohil to raise money for St Luke’s home and Pieta house.
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DANIELLE HORGAN SPONSORED BY GER’S PLACE
Danielle Horgan is a 21 year old From Tralee but has just returned from living in the USA for two and a half years. She is currently training in Kerry ETB Training Center for a Diploma in Hairdressing.
Danielle also works at her sponsor Gers Place which has recently opened and is one of Tralee’s newest Restaurants.
An active person and so juggling the work and study comes easy to her. She has always wanted to enter the Kerry Rose since she was younger and she is over the moon that she finally has the opportunity to be a part of this years 2018 Kerry Rose Selection.
DEARBHÁIL FOLEY SPONSORED BY WALSH BROTHERS SHOES
Dearbháil, is a 25yr old local Tralee woman who has spent the last few years perusing her dream career as an Athletic Therapist.
Final year can be a busy time for all, somehow this Kerry girl fits in a hectic schedule: working first aid with teams devoted her time and skills. Her infectious personality comes out most in her hobbies both athletics, and sailing.
Dearbháil has always been a busy bee getting involved where she can, working with numerous committees and coaching athletics yet still pole vaulting herself. If your looking for Dearbháil she will most likely be found galivanting outdoors as she’s not one to stay inside for too long.
EMMA CAREY SPONSORED BY MILANO’S KILLARNEY
Emma is a 23 year old Final Year Veterinary Nursing Student in University College Dublin. She is due to graduate in June and will start her new job in Ark Veterinary Hospital Killarney once she completes her studies.
She has a huge interest in fitness and regularly takes part in 5km and 10km runs, some for charity. Emma has scoliosis and had back surgery in 2011 to correct a severe curvature in her spine.
However it has not held her back from carrying out her childhood dream of working with animals and continuing to take part in sport. Emma enjoys going for walks with her dogs, drawing, yoga and swimming.
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ERIN ROWAN SPONSORED BY KERRY COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION
Erin has just completed a Level 5 QQI Nursing Studies course at Kerry College of Further Education.
The 19 year old Causeway native is a keen golfer and member of Ballybunion Golf Club and was a former Junior Girls captain for the club and has represented the club at various levels.
Erin hopes to continue her nursing studies in the coming year and when she graduates she hopes to travel and Nurse abroad. Some of her other hobbies include Camogie, going to the cinema and listening to music.
EVE O’DONOGHUE SPONSORED BY KERRY PARENTS AND FRIENDS
Eve O’Donoghue is an Intellectual Disability nurse who works at The Old Monastery, Kerry Parents & Friends, Killarney. The 25 year old from Glenflesk earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Science -Intellectual Disability at St. Angela’s college in Co. Sligo.
Apart from her day job, she also volunteers for Special Olympics Ireland and is becoming the Athlete Medical Officer for the Kerry Stars Special Olympic Club this year. In 2016, she was chosen as the Lily of Killarney.
This year she’s aiming to complete the Ring of Kerry charity cycle for the 4th consecutive year. Apart from cycling Eve also enjoys walking and traveling at home & abroad.
KATIE GUINEY SPONSORED BY DINGLE BENNERS HOTEL
Katie works as a Receptionist at Dingle Benners Hotel. The 23 year old from Listowel completed a 4 year Honours Degree in Travel and Tourism Management at the Institute of Technology Tralee.
Some of her highlights include: tour guiding in the Ashe Memorial Hall and organising an event at The Rose Hotel, which was based on Irish cultural activities and traditions.
She also went to Porthcurno, Cornwall to carry out a research project on Industrial Heritage Tourism Products.. Her findings were brought back to Valentia Island. Outside of work she enjoys volunteering in local events, helping out on the farm and exploring new places.
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KATIE O’SULLIVAN SPONSORED BY K- TOWN BAR KILLARNEY
Katie is a 26 year-old, newly graduated nurse from Farranfore. She is a founding lady of the successful Killarney Macra na Feirme.
She is also a National Patient Representative for a group of patients with a rare primary immunodeficiency from all over Ireland, where she supports patients and their families with the condition.
When she’s not involved with charities, she’s practicing her tractor skills or out running a 10k. She loves socialising, meeting new people, keeping fit and drinking tea in her spare time.
KAYLEIGH DEWHURST SPONSORED BY BUDDIES PLAY CENTRE KILLARNEY
Kayleigh is currently studying her first year of Business Information Systems in Limerick Institute of Technology. Growing up Kayleigh did Irish dancing for almost 14 years and has a couple of Munster titles and multiple medals under her sleeve.
The 20 year old now has a diploma in Makeup Artistry after studying in Vanity X Academy during a gap year and is now a Qualified Makeup Artist. In addition to Makeup, Kayleigh’s other common interests would be art, music, fashion and anything beauty related.
LAURA BOURKE SPONSORED BY THE ASHE HOTEL
Laura works as a Chef de Partie in the Ashe hotel. The 27 year old originally from Belfast now calls Tralee her home has been a huge support to the slimming world community for almost 2 Years, after losing almost 7 stone Laura introduced the slim and healthy menu in the Ashe hotel and is extremely passionate about creating delicious and tasty dishes for her fellow slimmer’s.
In addition to slimming world, she enjoys the cinema, GAA, walking, going to the gym, traveling, cooking, tasting new cuisines and of course baking.
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LAURA O’SULLIVAN SPONSORED BY SCAMPS AND SCHOLARS CHILDCARE
Laura has been working as an Early Years Educator for the past 4 years after graduating with a B.A. (level 8) in Early Childhood Care and Education. She has recently graduated in the programme for Leadership for Inclusion (LINC) in Mary I.
The 25 year old from Beaufort is a leader in her community for the local youth club, which has over 60 youth members. It is a thriving and active club that has organised several fundraisers and charity events. In addition she enjoys the cinema, running and cycling.
She has cycled the Ring of Kerry for local charities the last 2 years and is hoping to cycle it again in July
LEANNE O’REGAN SPONSORED BY BIZARRE SALON
Leanne is a qualified special need’s assistant and loves working with children.
She hopes to get a place in Mary Immaculate College Limerick next year to study early childhood care and education. The 19 year old lives at home in Ballyheigue Co. Kerry on a small farm with her parents and three younger siblings.
She loves farm animals and will help out on the farm anytime. Leanne has an interest in art and doing Halloween makeup someday she wants to travel to Dubai or Sydney and go to Disney land. As a child Leanne’s favourite thing to do was Irish dance.
LEONA O’SHEA SPONSORED BY GALLYS BAR AND RESTAURANT
Leona is an 18-year-old student currently attending Presentation Secondary School Tralee, and is studying for her Leaving Certificate.
Leona hopes to go on to third level to study Commerce in UCC. Leona has enjoyed every minute in Presentation, especially her time in Transition Year. Throughout Transition Year, Leona took part in many group projects, where they went on to win “Best Business Plan in Kerry “at the Kerry Enterprise Awards, and “Senior Biodiversity Winners” at the Eco-Unesco Awards.
Leona is a keen football player and is a member of John Mitchel’s Football Club, Tralee for the last 8 years.
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MAIREAD BROWNE SPONSORED BY NICHOLAS BROWNE & SONS LTD
Mairead has just recently completed a course in personal training and group instruction along with nutrition studies 101. She is presently working in Cork.
The 21 year old is currently the Lord Mayor of her local town Ballinskelligs. A title which she has attained through her passionate fundraising for Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Mairead loves to become involved in events and avidly participates with a sense of teamwork and fun.
In addition Mairead enjoys being outdoors by helping her father on the farm, keeping fit and meeting new people and also has a very bubbly personality
MEADHBH O’BRIEN SPONSORED BY SPILLANES BAR & RESTAURANT
Méadhbh (24) works as a children’s nurse in Cork University Hospital after completing her degree in Children’s and General Nursing.
The Fenit native loves swimming and water-safety, having worked as a beach lifeguard in Kerry during college. She has entered swimming galas from a young age and recently competed in the Western Australia open water swim series, placing second.
She also captained the waterpolo team to varsity victory during her time in UCC. Méadhbh has been a volunteer for Kerry Community Games for the past 7 years, winning both county and national youth volunteer awards. Méadhbh also enjoys reading, traveling and GAA.
MELANIE CLANCY SPONSORED BY HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE KERRY
Melanie is a 25 year old care assistant from Tralee. She works for Home Instead Senior Care Kerry. Her job consists of helping clients with their assisted daily living needs.
Her job can be sometimes emotionally challenging but knowing that she can deliver the best care possible to those most vulnerable, is very rewarding.
She would also like to progress in the healthcare sector and has applied for general nursing. She loves art and won a “foreign ministers award “in the Pental children’s International art competition at age 5, I was the only recipient in Ireland to win this award.
Other interests of mine include socializing, healthy eating and keeping fit and I completed the Banna Beast Challenge last year.
NICOLA O’GORMAN SPONSORED BY MYERS RECYCLING
Nicola is 24 and currently working as a bar tender in Faha Court Bar and Restaurant and is also a student. An active person she loves playing basketball hunting doing hair and makeup, walking her dogs, fishing and socializing with friends.
Living in Killorglin, she loves charity work, helping the elderly and raising funds for local charities in the locality. She is a part time carer to her mother who is waiting for a double lung transplant. She is very outgoing person friendly fun to be around and likes to meet new people.
PATRICIA KERINS SPONSORED BY DIVANES
Patricia is a young 19 year old girl that is known for being witty, very bubbly and a character! Patricia is currently studying disability studies and loves helping those in need. She loves to fundraise for both the Irish cancer society and NCBI.
Patricia is passionate about helping the youth of today break the standards and to help them become more. She encourages talking about mental health and to be active in sports to help reduce stress levels.
SARAH LEAHY SPONSORED BY DINGLE BAY HOTEL
Sarah Leahy is 21, a fluent Irish speaker from Dingle Town. A qualified beauty therapist, Sarah decided that she wanted to work in the area of Special needs and has just qualified as a Special Needs Assistant.
She says that children are her inspiration, she aims to continue to further her studies in Special Education. Sarah is a huge admirer of volunteers who give selflessly of themselves and their time, her Father and Aunt are long serving Coast Guards and she sees first hand their unfailing dedication to their service to their team.
Sarah is known to her friends as a happy, cheerful person with a positive outlook on life.
SHAUNA O’DOWD SPONSORED BY WARRIORS BASKETBALL CLUB
Shauna is in her 2nd year studying Civil Law in NUI Galway. She hopes to become a solicitor one day in the future.
The 20 year old is originally from Tralee and enjoys her time at home. Shauna is an advocate for the Irish Cancer Society and has participated in numerous fundraising events. She recently donated 13 inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust in England.
Shauna is a book worm and is extremely passionate about history especially Irish history. In her free time she enjoys running and watching movies but most of all spending time with her family and friends.
SINEAD O’SULLIVAN SPONSORED BY GER O’DOHERTY DECORATING SERVICES
Sinéad has recently finished a course in Childcare Management with Advanced Disability Studies and Special Needs in Kerry College of Further Education.
The twenty-three-year old Kerry native from Abbeydorney lives at home with father and 3 younger siblings and passionately trains the Under-12 ladies football team of the village. In addition to the Abbeydorney ladies football team, her passions include; enjoying rallies, watching her sister and brothers’ football matches and spending time with family and friends.
Sinéad has previously worked in a crèche in Tralee and has achieved a First Aid Certificate and has long-term aspirations to open up her own crèche/preschool in the future in line with her passion for childhood education.
STEPHANIE HORAN SPONSORED BY HORAN’S WEDDING CARS
Stephanie is 27 and works as a secondary school teacher having graduated with a BA in business, accounting, religion and education from Mary Immaculate, Thurles Campus.
She has just returned from working in the UK and Qatar for four years and is currently employed by the Department of Education working with children with SEN. Stephanie has an interest in marketing, SME’s and female entrepreneurship.
She enjoys circuit classes, boxercise and visiting places of interest in Ireland. She is currently trying to visit all 32 counties in Ireland and is on number 19! Her dislikes include poor time management and comedians. Her dream dinner party included Holly Willoughby, Maria Walsh and Ellen Degeneres.
TRISHA HIGGINS SPONSORED BY CASTLE LIGHTING & INTERIORS
Trisha Higgins is a visual artist and the co-founder of Nana Beas Cafe and Gift Store in Castleisland.
She is driven to promote creativity and opened ‘Little Dears’ art studio in 2016, offering art workshops and classes to groups of inspiring children aged between 5 and 15. She is a keen volunteer with Irish Girl Guides and is a proud leader with Mangerton Girl Guides Killarney.
She is returning to the study of Art and Design in Limerick School of Art and Design this September. Originally hailing from Castleisland she now lives in the beautiful village of Ballyheigue. When she isn’t working hard you can find her travelling and exploring new cultures with Tokyo high on her list of places to see.
IT’S just two weeks away now, so most of the Kerry Rose contestants got together again for an evening of fun at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium last night.
As is traditional over the past number of years, the ladies from all over the county enjoyed the fine sunny evening and chatted about the upcoming Kerry Rose Selection night which takes place on Saturday, May 26 at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel.
Before that, they’ll have a mini-tour of Kerry next weekend as the excitement builds to find out which one of them will represent the county at the Rose of Tralee festival in August. Scroll down for photos courtesy of Will Nolan…
THE ladies who will vie for the Kerry Rose 2018 title next month met up for the first time at The Rose Hotel on Sunday.
The Kerry Rose Centre held an information session and 21 of the anticipated 25 contestants got to know each other and received some advice from the current Kerry Rose, Breda O’Mahony.
The ladies have a fun few weeks ahead of them with a night at the dogs and a tour of Kerry on the cards, before the big selection night on May 26 at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel. Scroll down for photos of the contestants…
