The New Zealand Rose of Tralee
The
2011 New Zealand Rose of Tralee is Ailbhe Ryan.
Ailbhe represented the Hutt Valley Irish Society.
Ailbhe Ryan is a 25 year old who was born in Dublin and is a customer services officer with CIGNA Insurance. Her father was originally from Tralee and her mother from Cavan.
She has a Bachelor Arts Honours degree majoring in history and politics and has a Masters in International Relations.
Ailbhe moved to NZ 4 years ago and has made Wellington her home enjoying the harbour and café culture. With her current role she is doing a Certificate in Financial Services and hopes to make a career in this field.
She does Irish dancing and loves to cook and bake. In 2007 she volunteered at a school in Haiti and has spent time in Israel and Palestine for her thesis in Arab/Israeli conflict. Longer term she would like to live on a self sufficient farm and take trips back to Israel and other exotic places.
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The 2011 contestants:
(back row, l to r)Tegan Smith (Auckland), Kathleen Payne (Gisborne), Hannah Crowley (Taranaki), Anna Rose Mills (Wanganui), Katie Bennett (Manawatu), Erin Saunders (Christchurch), Louise Thomas (Invercargill), Elizabeth Sara (2010 NZ Rose of Tralee)
Listen to Elizabeth as she talks about winning the 2010 NZ Rose of Tralee title
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“Winning the Rose title was a surprise - and a great honour!”