17.
Meath Rose Lane Galvin My name is Lane Galvin. I’m 26 and work as a Midwife in the Midwifery Led Unit in Drogheda Hospital. It is a privilege to support people and their families during a very vulnerable time. I am passionate about my job and have specialised in advanced examination of the newborn, maternal mental health and holistic therapies. I was honored to be awarded midwife of the year this year. I received a scholarship to do my Masters in Research looking at Trauma Informed Care which has allowed me to further my career, aspirations and share my passion with others including the student midwives in Dundalk Institute of Technology, whom I had the pleasure of lecturing this year. I love traveling, dancing, drama, debating and cold river swims. I represented DKIT at the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, National Debate. I started an Instagram page called ‘TheBuildingBride’ where I documented the process of building our home to help others on their exciting journey. Representing Meath has been an honour, especially working with charities such as the Meath Women’s Refuge and Irish Wheelchair Association. I’m looking forward to heading to Tralee with a wonderful bunch of Roses.
18.
Melbourne Rose Katie Casey My name is Katie Casey. I am 28 years old and I was born and raised on a dairy farm overlooking the mouth of the River Shannon in Causeway, Co. Kerry. I’m the youngest of four older brothers, Dad is a Kerry man and Mom is from Garryvoe in East Cork. After graduating from the University of Limerick with a BSc in Nursing (Intellectual Disability), I emigrated to New Zealand in 2018 for a year before settling in Melbourne which I now call my home away from home. I currently work as a Registered Nurse in the community supporting clients with complex disabilities and mental health. I am very passionate about my job and my motto in life is “everything happens for a reason.” I keep connected to my Irish community by playing camogie with Sinn Féin GAC Club and I’m a member of Melbourne Comhaltas, where I set dance weekly. I love a challenge and recently completed the Gold Coast Full Marathon where I helped raise funds for Down Syndrome Kerry, a charity very close to my heart. From a young girl, I’ve grown up attending the annual Festival. I feel very honoured and delighted to be representing the Melbourne Irish community.
19.
New York Rose Róisín Wiley Hello there! My name is Róisín Wiley, and I am honored to represent New York in the 2023 Rose of Tralee International Festival. I am 27 years old and live in Manhattan. I am a VP of National Sales at a consumer marketing company, managing a territory of OTC and Pharmaceutical accounts. I specifically partner with them to plan and execute strategic digital & in-store campaigns. My parents, Eddie & Majella, were born and raised in Co. Limerick. My mom is from Templeglantine, and my dad is from Kilmallock. They emigrated to NYC in their 20s and built an amazing life for my younger brother John & I in Westchester, NY. We have been blessed to travel to Ireland every year, and now a bit more often to cheer on the Limerick Hurlers! I enjoy walks (especially in the rain), dog watching, traveling, and exercising. I am passionate about taking advantage of every opportunity and hope to motivate others to be the best version of themselves. I’m thrilled beyond belief to participate in the Festival, and very excited to meet all these other fabulous women. I will be forever thankful to my family and friends for their unending support!
20.
New Zealand Rose Kelsi Wallace Kia ora koutou! I'm 27 and I was born and bred in the deep south of Aotearoa New Zealand, and now live just up the coast in the beautiful Ōtepoti region. My paternal grandfather is from a small village called Cregganawoody in Co. Mayo and immigrated to New Zealand in 1950. After a few lambing seasons in Murihiku Southland, he married the farmer’s daughter and still lives on that farm today! I currently work in musculoskeletal injury prevention at Silver Fern Farms and have focused largely on Biomechanics and Exercise Prescription throughout my studies and working career. I love my field of work, as I’ve seen how pain and injury can deplete quality of life, and it’s very rewarding to be able to help. I’m passionately involved in Irish dance; I competed for years, trained dancers and have published a paper on Irish dance biomechanics. I’m a member of our local Irish society and volunteer for several mental health organisations, a cause very close to my heart. The rest of my time is spent lifting weights, dabbling in music, and hanging out with my whānau. It’s exciting to come back to Ireland and I’m so honoured to be a part of this Festival!