Welcome to the
Limerick Rose Selection
2023
2023 Selection Night
Woodlands Hotel, Adare
April 23rd 2023
Our 2023 Limerick Roses are:
History of Roses
Sinéad Flannagan
2019
Hazel Ní Chathasaigh
2018
Kayleigh Maher
2017
Marie Hennessy
2016
Rachel O'Neill 2015
Dawn Ryan
2014
Chloe Heslin
2013
Suzanne O'Brien 2012
Orlaith Carroll
2011
Bríd Richardson 2010
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Our Fabulous Host Venue
The FitzGerald's Woodlands House Hotel
Our Tour Sponsors
The George Boutique Hotel
The Savoy Collection
Mike Hynan Coaches
King John's Castle
The International Rugby Experience
Pressed Flowers by Nell
Oahu.ie
Prizes for the 2023 Limerick Rose
Thank You!
To all the local businesses that have supported the Rose of Tralee.
Designer Wear from the Ivory Closet Boutique
Dress from White Feather Boutique
Outfit from Annette’s Boutique
Outfit from Ella Maria Boutique
Outfit from Kimono Boutique
Outfit from Earls and Pearls Boutique
Hair & Make up for the year from Catherine Hickey
Nails by The Nail & Beauty Lounge
Accessories from Glitz and Bitz Limerick
Headpieces from Antoinette's Hats
Headpieces from Ayres & Graces Hats
Boutique from Lawless Flowers Roches Street
Gift from Allan's Glass
Gift from Bridget's Gift Shop, Newcastle West
Voucher for Chill the Beans Mungret
Voucher for All About You Beauty Adare
Dinner Voucher for Silver Room Restaurant Newcastle West
Lunch Voucher for Westward Ho Mungret
Voucher for the Longcourt Hotel Newcastle West
Voucher from Russell’s Select Bar
Voucher from Arches Restaurant
Gift from Dooley’s Pharmacy Newcastle West
Gift from Adare Pharmacy
Gift from Black Abbey Crafts
Gift from Croom Stores
Gift from Vokes Adare
Gift from Halley’s Care Plus Pharmacy
Gift from Daarwood Pharmacy Newcastle West
Voucher for Lucy Stanhope Physical Therapy
Portrait by Eamonn Baggott Artist and framed by Draiocht Art
The 2023 Limerick Rose Tour
2019 Limerick Rose
International Rose of Tralee
Sinéad Flanagan
Where It Started For Sinéad...
Sinéad Flannagan
Sponsored by The School Food Company
Sinead, from Adare and formerly Mungret, is a 27 year old doctor who works in Cork University Hospital. A past pupil of Crescent College, she qualified as a physiotherapist at UL. Following this she completed her studies at UCC where she obtained a medical degree in 2018. A summer spent volunteering in rural Ghana as a medical student was a deeply rewarding and moving experience for Sinead and she hopes to return to Africa in the future. She is keenly interested in travel and opted to complete two work placements in Australia. Sinead also enjoys playing indoor soccer, running and supporting Limerick hurling.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Breda Magner
Sponsored by The Silver Dollar Bar
Breda, from Ardagh, is a 21-year-old preservice teacher and is currently studying in Mary Immaculate College.
Breda has been an active member of Foynes Yacht club for several years. Breda started her journey to becoming a sailing instructor in 2017 when she qualified as an assistant sailing instructor, she continued her journey becoming a junior dinghy instructor in 2018 and this past year progressing to the highest level of instructorship and taking on the role as senior instructor at Foynes Yacht Club.
Breda also enjoys playing piano, guitar, singing and supporting Ireland's Men’s and Women’s rugby.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Rachel Dunlea
Sponsored by The Savoy Collection
Rachel, 25 years old, originally from Buttevant Co Cork, has worked at the Savoy Hotel for the past two years as Accommodation Supervisor. She is a recent graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management where she obtained a Bachelor of Business Studies in International Hotel Management. Having studied French in college Rachel worked in Brussels for over a year on placement working in different areas of the hotel sector. She is interested in travel, sport, music and socialising with friends.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Lisa Hickey
Sponsored by Amber Safety Ltd
Lisa, from Southill, is a 28 year old former midwife who now works as a healthcare training coordinator and first-aid trainer. She completed her undergraduate degree in 2016 in UL and later completed a masters in Health and Safety in NUIG in 2021. Lisa loves to travel and has lived in New York and in Toronto for 2 years. She has also recently qualified as an Infant Massage instructor and one day hopes to start her own business running Infant massage and First-Aid classes.
Lisa is dedicated to teaching First Aid and believes the more people that know CPR the more lives that could be saved.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Nora Casey
Sponsored by Mann's Hotel Rathkeale
Nora from Ballysteen, Askeaton is a 25-year-old law graduate and musician. A past pupil of Laurel Hill Colaiste, she gained her LLB at UL and went on to study a masters in Environmental Law in UCC. She works part time at Tina Hills Solicitors Limerick as a legal assistant while completing solicitors’ professional exams. Nora has been a harpist with Bunratty Castle for the past 7 years. She recently joined Music Generation Limerick as a music tutor and is working with programmes such as Youthreach.
Nora can be found hiking, traveling, going out with friends and joining trad sessions anywhere!
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Maeve Cooke
Sponsored by Big Boss Events
Maeve from Crecora, is a 23 year old Master’s student who currently works part time in the University Hospital Limerick, as a Clerical Officer in the department of Infection Control. A past pupil of Laurel Hill FCJ, who went on to graduate from Mary Immaculate College in English Literature, Media and Communications. Maeve will graduate this year with a Master’s in Business Management from University of Limerick. Maeve enjoys traveling, having spent last summer in the United States. Maeve has a keen interest in continuing her adventures, starting with Australia in 2024.
Maeve enjoys various outdoor activities and has completed parts of the Camino, which she hopes to return to and further complete other sections.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Molli-Ann O'Halloran
Sponsored by ASD Ireland
Molli-Ann from Limerick city, is employed by Shannon Heritage as a singer for Bunratty Castle. She is a pupil in the University of Limerick where she is doing a Bachelors degree in Voice in the Irish World Academy. Molli-Ann has had a passion to sing since a young age. Following this she has years of professional training. She has teamed up with Novas for Christmas these past two years to fundraise on the streets of Limerick to busk for the homeless. Molli-Ann is an advocate for people with autism and hopes to spread awareness and show that anything is possible. It is deeply rewarding to have that ability. She has great interests in travel and new adventures and hopes to take her advocacy further.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Niamh Houlihan
Sponsored by Milford Hospice
Niamh is from Kilfinny, a small village outside of Adare.
Niamh is a 25 year old Hairdresser, qualified to be one of the first Level 6 hairdressers in Ireland this year.
Niamh went to boarding school in Thurles for six years. Although her passion is hairdressing, Niamh has a wonderful insight into farming, and would say she is a country girl at heart. Never afraid to get her hands dirty and muck in.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Katelyn Hayes
Sponsored by Ambrose Facilities Services Ltd
Katelyn is 23 years old and hails from Carrigkerry.
She is currently in her fifth year of studies at University of Galway, where she first graduated with a BA in Gaeilge and Mathematical Studies and is now completing an MA, Cleachtas Gairmiúil sna Meáin.
Katelyn has a grá for all things Gaeilge, always trying to inspire those around her to use whatever cúpla focal they have. During her time as Lead Student Ambassador in University, Katelyn has developed a love for public speaking and hopes one day to put her skills to use as a TV or radio presenter.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Shauna Maunsell
Sponsored by Jackie O'Brien's Bar
Shauna is 22 years old, from Anglesborough in county Limerick. She is a Singer, Aerial dancer and Barmaid. She is studying a BA degree in performing arts voice and dance in the Irish world academy in UL.
Here she is in her final year, throughout her time in college Shauna has performed on three occasions with fidget feet also in the UL concert hall. Shauna is on the fidget feet board and hopes to go traveling once she has finished college. She enjoys teaching people from all ages and backgrounds and spending time with her family, friends and dog.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Chloe Kennedy
Sponsored by The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
From Kilcolman, 24-year-old Chloe works as a Quality Assurance Specialist at a Cell Therapy facility in Dublin, where she helps create a treatment for people with Crohn's disease.
A former student of S.M.I, Chloe attended Trinity College where she studied science and sat on committees for several college societies. Passionate about the environment, Chloe completed a summer internship at the Environmental Protection Agency. Chloe’s keen interest in learning about other cultures and seeing the World led her to volunteer at a kid’s summer camp in Germany in 2018 and travel to faraway places, such as Cape Town.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Anna Leonard
Sponsored by Scoil Uí Nualláin
Anna is a 24-year-old professional Irish dancer who has graduated with a BA in Irish Dance from UL and a Physical Education Certificate from LJMU. She hopes to further her
education in September, studying a Professional Master of Education in both P.E. and Music.
You might recognize her voice from the airwaves as she also works for Limerick radio station Live95FM. Anna plays the flute, bodhran and céilí drums and is also a teaching
assistant for her sponsor Scoil Uí Nualláin, an Irish Dance school based in Limerick City. She enjoys supporting Limerick hurling and her local rugby club Bruff RFC where she plans to
return to playing this coming summer.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Claire Dillion
Sponsored by The Radisson Blu Limerick
Claire is 24 years old and hails from Cratloe, Co Clare. After studying Graphic Design Communications in Limerick School of Art and Design, Claire went on to win multiple international and European design awards for her work. Claire now works as a digital and service designer in Dublin. She has a deep-rooted passion for using creativity for good and making public services more accessible and easier to use for everyone. Claire is keenly interested in travel and has spent Summers volunteering in hostels in Italy and as a children’s pottery tutor and camp counsellor in the US. Claire also loves baking, illustration and charity shopping.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Katie O'Connor
Sponsored by Community Crisis Rathkeale
Katie who grew up in Croagh, County Limerick is 24 years old and is working for Pepper Asset Servicing in Shannon, County Clare. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies with Event Management with the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest in 2021. As part of her studies, Katie and her classmates organized an event in aid of Pieta House raising €1187.12. Katie enjoys traveling and has been to many countries such as Greece, Italy, France and Hungary. Katie is looking forward to traveling to Australia at the end of the year. Katie can play the piano and has completed piano exams under the RIAM. Katie chose CCR as her sponsor as she admires the work that they do as they offer support to people struggling mentally and in suicidal distress. Katie enjoys spending time with her friends and family especially her nephews and niece.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Louise Crowley
Sponsored by Cooke Agri
Louise is a 28 year old dairy farmer in Croom, living in Knockainey.
Louise is a Dairy Herd Management graduate from Pallaskenry Agricultural College and has a BSc inAgriculture from CIT. She has been farming 200 cows in partnership with her Dad, John, since 2018.She is an active member of Macra, with Kilmallock being her club. She has held various roles over the years, and Macra is where she found her voice to advocate for the importance of Irish Agriculture both nationally and internationally. She is a prominent spokesperson for farming and especially encouraging more women into the sector and changing farm succession traditions.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Nicole O Sullivan
Sponsored by Noel O Sullivan Painting & Decorating
Nicole from Meenkilly, Abbeyfeale and formerly from Athea, is a 26 year old Fitness Professional and Massage Therapist working self-employed under NOS Wellness. A past pupil of Colaiste Ide agus Iosef, she qualified with a 1st class honors degree in Health and leisure with massage in IT Tralee. Following this she completed a Masters degree in Applied Exercise for health in MTU Kerry.
Nicole takes great pride in her work while highlighting that exercise classes should be held in a positive environment surrounded by laughter, support and positivity. In her spare time she enjoys taking time out for herself to meditate and acknowledge milestones and goals that she has achieved. She is keenly interested in dogs and has her own Cocker Spaniel “Kali” who she is very fond of. Nicole is a strong believer that what is for you, won’t pass you by.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Aoife Gale
Sponsored by Diabetes Ireland
Aoife, from Croom, is a 27 year old manager in an investment management company. Working full time in this industry she completed her BA in Business Management from UL part-time. She also completed a Professional Diploma in this discipline and will complete her MBA. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in April 2019, Aoife has been advocating on a small platform about the life-time illness and fundraises for Diabetes Ireland when possible. Aoife loves to travel, explore and play music. Having played piano keyboard since she was seven and recently going back to learn piano, she hopes one day to play as a pianist and teach music.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Heather Sheehan-Corkery
Sponsored by Arch Engineering Kilmallock
She is from Hospital, Co.Limerick and is 27 years old. She spent the majority of covid radio broadcasting. She keeps black bees which are Ireland's indigenous bee.
From a young age she has written poetry, a practice she continues today, the same with art creating many impressionist paintings over the years.
She lives her life by this quote from the great writer Ehime Ora "You gotta resurrect the deep pain within you and give it a place to live that's not within your body. Let it live in art. Let it live in writing."
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Grace O Donnell
Sponsored by West Limerick Sports Complex
Grace is from Monagea, and is 22 years old and is currently in her final year studying a Bsc in health and fitness science and business management in UL, and hopes to go on to do a masters in PE teaching.
Grace also works part time as a Pilates and fitness instructor at West Limerick Sports Complex.
Grace enjoys playing football and is part of the Monagea ladies football team. Grace also enjoys running and competes in cross country and road races and is a member of West limerick athletics club.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Yvonne O'Sullivan
Sponsored by The Dollhouse Hair Salon
Yvonne O’Sullivan is a Student Paramedic with the National Ambulance Service based in the Midwest and studying in the Tullamore campus. From a farm in West Cork Yvonne always had a love of the arts so moved to the UK to study Performing Arts for 5 years after which she toured across Europe with theatre company performing and nurturing people's passion for learning English.
From 2017, Yvonne worked in Special Needs Education in mainstream and in Special Needs schools, In 2022 she made the jump into a new career. Yvonne has fond memories of watching the Rose’s with her grandmother, admiring their passion, courage and enthusiasm as young woman until she was old enough to attend the festival in person.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Amanda Giltenane
Amanda is from Cappagh, Askeaton and is 22 years old. She works as a pharmacy assistant in Giltenane’s pharmacy, she is also a makeup artist and has a small makeup studio In Rathkeale that she recently renovated and set up herself. Amanda went to Cork Commerce and qualified in make up artistry and also has successfully completed the medicines counter assistant course with the Irish pharmacy union.
Amanda loves to travel and visit new places and hopes to travel more in the future. Amanda loves animals and is very creative and loves drawing and painting, she loves to go hiking especially in Kerry and often walks her dogs in Killarney. Amanda likes to spend her spare time with her family, especially her sister Kayley and her cousins Leanne and Jemma.
The 2023 Limerick Roses
Joyce Zacks Ryan
Sponsored by Original Ireland
Joyce originally from Pallasgreen is a 23 year old full time musician. A former student of Scoil Na Trionoide Naofa in Doon and Recent graduate from the University of Limerick. Joyce received a BA in performing arts in August of Last year and has been a full time musician since September. Even before receiving her degree Joyce has always been hugely involved in the Limerick music scene being one of the first artists to be involved with the Music For Mental Health gig in Dolans post pandemic AND this year, to feature in an award winning documentary about Ireland's underground music scene. When she’s not performing all of her other hobbies are all creative based, she enjoys painting, photography and overall just creating. Joyce hopes to go back to University and complete a masters in music therapy after taking a break to pursue music for the next few years.
Thank You
#LimerickRose
Please enjoy your night and use the hashtag to join the conversation and celebrate our community.
If you wish to take part in the next Limerick Rose Selection, or get tickets to the Rose of Tralee International Festival this August, visit:
www.roseoftralee.ie today.
