2011 National Final
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Meet the International Rose
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Meet recent New Zealand Roses
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Past New Zealand Roses
In
2009 the Invercargill Irish Society selected Lisa Monaghan as its Rose of Tralee.
She was born in 1986 in Invercargill, and is currently working as a care and protection social worker at Child, Youth and Family, having graduated earlier in 2009 from the University of Canterbury.
Her Irish ancestry is on both sides of her family, her maternal grandfather having been born in Belfast and paternal great grandfather hailing from Galway Bay. Both men emigrated to Southland and married local girls.
Lisa enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, camping and the outdoors, dreaming of her future travel incorporating voluntary work in a third world country, maintaining her fitness and most of all the opportunity to share a laugh.
Follow Lisa as she represented New Zealand in Tralee in 2009 and listen as she talks about being New Zealand's Rose of Tralee, and representing her community at the International Festival in Tralee.
In 2008 the Hutt Valley Irish Society
selected Aislinn Ryan as its Rose of Tralee.
She was born on 13 October 1984 in Wellington.
Currently a student, Aislinn says she loves Irish dancing (both teaching and performing) and travel. After touring with Riverdance and living from a suitcase, she says she gets immense pleasure from making a cup of tea in her own kitchen! She also loves to read, write and enjoy Wellington’s cultural delights – film, theatre, and of course fresh coffee.
Aislinn’s father was born and raised in Cahir, Co Tipperary. His parents were both born in Co Tipperary – the Ryans from Cahir and the Longs from Thurles. Aislinn’s father emigrated to NZ in 1967.
In
2007 the Christchurch Irish Society
selected Sara Dwyer as its Rose of Tralee.
Aged 27, Sarah is an Assistant Heritage Planner employed by the Christchurch City Council.
A football ("the beautiful game") fan, her interests include learning Gaelic, visiting Art Galleries and Museums, and music.
Sarah is keen to work in the area of heritage management, and hopes to spend a year overseas working for a not-for-profit organisation. In the meantime, she intends to complete her Masters degree, improve her sewing and do a basic car maintenance course. She is a fourth-generation New Zealander with heritage from counties Clare and Dublin.
In
2006 the Hutt Valley Irish Society
selected Emma Coffey as its Rose of Tralee.
Emma Kate Coffey was born in Lower Hutt on 13 August 1982. Emma’s father, Joe, comes from Carrigtwohill, County Cork, and her mother’s father was born in Killarney, County Kerry.
Emma is a Cash and Banking Specialist working for an oil company. Her interests range from Irish dancing – both performing and teaching – to the violin to kick-boxing, traveling, touch rugby, and socialising with friends.
The
2005 New Zealand Rose of Tralee
was Esther Budding. She had been selected for the National
Final by the Hutt Valley Irish Society.
Esther was born on 2 May, 1981 in Manchester, England. Her maternal grandfather, Michael Kildunne, was born in a town called Aclare, Co Sligo. Members of the family still live on the land on which her grandfather was born. She has visited the area a number of times and met her relations.
She is currently a solicitor employed in a large legal firm. She says her principal interests are teaching and competing in traditional Irish dancing with the Kildunne School of Irish Dancing. Keeping fit, volunteering at the Community Law Centre, and spending time with her family and friends also occupy her time.
The
2003 New Zealand Rose of Tralee
was Katherine Kelly, representing the Auckland Irish
Society.
She was born in 1978, in New South Wales, but now lives in Auckland, and considers herself a New Zealander through and through. She is also very aware and proud of her Irish heritage. Her father came from County Leitrim and she has grandparents from County Roscommon and County Wicklow.
In
2002 the Hutt Valley Irish Society
selected Vivien Lynch as its Rose. Vivien was born in
Upper Hutt on 7 September, 1978. Her mother’s family are from County Tipperary
and County Cork, while her father’s family are from Waterford and Wexford.
Vivien is a Travel Consultant whose interests include travel, theatre,
health and fitness, floristry, wine and food, and music.
She took the best wishes of the Hutt Valley Irish Society with her to the national finals in Hamiltonwhere she was selected as the 2002 Air New Zealand Rose of Tralee. Her prize included a trip to the International Festival and final in Tralee, Ireland.
You can read about her
experiences.
“Winning the Rose title was a surprise - and a great honour!”