Contestants for Luxembourg Rose 2012
 My name is Aimee Mulkerns. I am 24 years old and was born and reared in Claremorris, Co. Mayo. I studied Business and French in the University of Limerick, graduating in May 2010. As part of my degree I had the opportunity to study for six months in the University of Montpellier, France. This really triggered my zest for travelling and confirmed my love of the French language. My next travelling experience brought me to Luxembourg for 8 months in 2009, completing an internship at RBC Dexia. Although a small city, I instantly felt at home and was eager to return after I graduated. I am currently working as a Fund Compliance Representative with Brown Brothers Harriman, which is giving me an interesting insight into the Luxembourg fund industry.
I grew up in a very musical family and I have been singing and performing from a very young age. I was strongly influenced by my mum and other family members who sparked my musical interest. I performed in several musical productions over the years which enhanced my love of music and confidence in performing. I also enjoy swimming, history and travelling. Next on my list of travel adventures are the Alps, South East Asia and the United Arab Emirates.
My family and I have been involved in fundraising for charities such as Western Alzheimers and Down Syndrome Ireland. I am an active member of the Irish community in Luxembourg and am involved with the GAA team.
Being involved with the Rose of Luxembourg is a great privilege and I look forward to the journey ahead! |
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 My name is Carole Fagan. I come from the small village of Horseleap in the heart of Ireland. So small is our village that we were more like a large family in school with only 28 pupils and two teachers! Growing up I was regularly surrounded by different nationalities as I spent all my free time helping out at the international pony camps in Mullingar Equestrian Centre. After spending 6 weeks on an exchange in Paris when I was 16 I decided that after completing my leaving cert in Mercy Secondary School Kilbeggan I would study European business and French. The course was based in Dublin City University for two years followed by two years in Reims Management School in France. As part of my studies I got the opportunity to spend six months in Paris working for a toy company!
Living and working with different nationalities is both challenging and exciting. I've made great friends from all corners of the world and learnt so much about different cultures. Its also quite surprising how patriotic you become when you leave home, I feel more Irish now than ever regularly phoning home for recipes for brown bread, scones and the likes! Above all I love the reaction when I tell people I'm Irish. So often their faces brighten up as they tell their tales of their fond memories of holidays in Ireland or their plans to visit one day. It might not be the same as it was in the boom years but its reassuring to see that it hasn't lost its charm abroad.
I finished my studies in Reims in May 2011 and moved down the road to Luxembourg to work for PricewaterhouseCoopers. The international diversity of the town was the main attraction for me but at the same time I was delighted to find a huge Irish community already well settled in here! Creating home away from home wasn't so difficult! Since moving here its been a roller-coaster of adventures. Some german friends have convinced me to sign up for the strongman run in May which involves a course of obstacles apparently designed by Chuck Norris! I've also recently joined the Luxembourg Triathlon club which has been a great opportunity to meet some locals! No doubt there will be many challenges ahead but each challenge once fulfilled leaves behind great memories. |
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 My name is Megan Hanley. I’m 19 years old. I come from a small place called Ballina Co.Tipperary. I’m currently in my second year in college I’m studying a Bachelor in Business Studies with Hotel Management In Shannon college of Hotel management.
I’m in Luxembourg for a year internship and I never want it to end, loving every minute of it.
As we don’t get to pick our placement it was a surprise to be sent here and I have to be honest I had my doubts before I came but I wouldn’t change Luxembourg for the world.
I love what I do and because I’m a people person (I’d seriously talk for Ireland) my job gives me the opportunity to meet someone new and different everyday also since being here I have been more aware of different cultures and nationalities. I’ve been here for 6 months and have learned so much since arriving in Luxembourg and travelling to numerous countries in Europe.
I was also pleasantly surprised there is a large population of Irish people here is probably the last place on earth I thought I’d see Irish people it’s true we are everywhere.. It’s great to know if you are missing home there is a place to get the odd packet of Tayto’s and to see the gaa matches especially the All Ireland being from Tipperary that has a special place in my heart.
Also as I am pursing a career in the Hospitality Industry I have come to know and understand it’s true what they say that no one can do welcome like the Irish people and I feel an event such as The Rose of Tralee for that night captivates the talent of Irish girls and decedents alike.
I decided to enter this competition to meet new people and have fun and as this year has thought me so much about myself and that I should never turn down a good opportunity and I feel honoured to even be able to be in the running to represent this beautiful country. |
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 My name is Nicola McEvoy and I am 25 years old. I have lived in Luxembourg for over a year but I’m originally from Cork. I studied History and Geography in University College Cork, followed by a Masters in History in 2008 where I completed my Masters thesis on Irish History.
Following my studies, I pursued my lifelong ambition to become a second-level teacher by completing my postgraduate diploma in Education in 2009. I lived and worked in Kent in the United Kingdom as a teacher for one year after qualifying. It has been great to get work experience in different countries. I am currently working at the European School of Luxembourg which I can only say is my dream job! I love working with young people and different European cultures and gaining insights into their way of life. I am also hoping to improve my French during my next few years here.
Since coming to Luxembourg last October I have started to play Gaelic Football. I love being involved in the GAA. It is a great comfort to be part of the Irish community and as a result Luxembourg absolutely feels like home. I love meeting new people, from all age groups. I have a keen interest in film, cooking, Irish History and I adore music.
I have met so many wonderful people in Luxembourg it has made me want to travel even more. I have previously travelled to Canada and the U.S where I want to return next summer to fulfil my dream of doing a road trip along Route 66! My future goals include taking part in voluntary teaching work abroad while travelling.
I am entering the Luxembourg Rose of Tralee 2012 as I would love to represent a country that has embraced the Irish community so openly. |
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 My name is Sinead Gahagan, I'm 22 years old and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland. For the past four years I have studied Law and Spanish at the University of Glasgow and graduated this summer with an upper second class honours. I have a keen passion for travelling and learning about other cultures and languages, as part of my degree I got the opportunity to live in Valencia, Spain for one year where I studied Spanish Law. This broadened my cultural horizons and helped to improve my Spanish. It also gave me the chance to meet people from all over the world. This year i'm taking a year out and working as a comenius assistant in a primary school for one year, teaching french speaking children English aswell as art and music- two other great interests of mine! I decided to put my career as a Lawyer off for a year because I would love the opportunity to learn french, and I believe the best way to do that is to be immersed in the language. I hope that one day with my languages I will be able to work in the European Parliament or even the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg- this would be my dream! I'm very proud of my Irish roots, the majority of my family live in Cork, Ireland so I frequently return for visits and holidays. Irish culture has been a huge part of my life, my dad is a folk musician so from an early age I have been to folk festivals, experiencing both Irish and Scottish music, as well as dabbling in fiddle playing and Irish dancing. I enjoy irish traditional music as well as more recent Irish artists and preformers. Representing Luxembourg in the Rose of Tralee would be a great honour. When I saw there was a centre in Luxembourg I jumped at the opportunity to apply as there are no centres currently in Scotland where I grew up. The Rose of Tralee is something I've heard my mum talk of since I was a child..not to mention hearing the song and it mentioned by others artists such as Christy Moore. To become a rose would mean the world to me. |
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 My name is Tracey Farrelly. I am 26 years old and living in Strassen. I was born and raised in Dublin where I studied engineering at Trinity College. I speak fluent Irish, play camogie, tin whistle and was an Irish dancer until age 19, dancing competitively and performing around Europe as part of a dance troupe. I moved to Luxembourg in August when the opportunity to transfer arose in my company. I love living here and experiencing all of the cultural diversity Luxembourg has to offer. I have just started to learn French and I am enjoying it thoroughly, though finding it quite challenging as I studied German in school. I am currently working as a software developer for Business Solution Builders who are a Belgian financial software company. I hope to play for the GAA club here in Luxembourg when the season starts as I both played and coached in Dublin. I would really like to get more involved in the Irish community here and I think representing Luxembourg in the Rose of Tralee is the perfect way to do so. I have been very involved with the Sunshine House Fund which is a St. Vincent de Paul run charity in Ireland which provides summer holidays for underprivileged inner city children. I have been involved since I was a child and volunteer on a regular basis. I have recently begun attending meetings of the Luxembourg chapter of the Rotoract group and hope to participate in some of their charitable activities. I love to travel and have planned a month long trip to Peru later this year and my aspiration is to take some time each year to choose a new country or continent to visit. As a child I sat in every year, as every little girl who grew up in Ireland did, to watch the Rose of Tralee and it would be a great honour and a privilege to be involved. |
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 My name is Victoria Thompson, 24 years young and loving life.
I arrived here in beautiful Luxembourg when I was 18 months old when my parents moved from Dublin just before the Celtic Tiger started to roar. I attended the European School (primary) and got a grounding in languages before returning to my roots to a secondary boarding school in Dublin.
I recently graduated with an Honours BA from the Dublin Business School where I studied Marketing with Event Management. This course is where I learned that I love to organise events and I aim to set up my own event business one day. Who knows, I could even end up organising the Rose of Tralee in a few years’ time…?
My sisters and I have minded animals, mainly dogs, during holidays from school and university, for a number of years in a home business. I could tell you stories of kittens up the Christmas tree and dogs in the bath…
I recently started my professional career here in Luxembourg, in the financial service sector, and really like my first job and my new colleagues.
I have made some really good friends along the way, in Luxembourg and Ireland and from all four corners of the globe. I am very outgoing and love to make new friends and welcome them to Luxembourg and show them the sights – not only the nightlife!
In my spare time, I love to go swimming and do a bit of baking from time to time. I have recently started back at Irish Dancing which I studied and competed with Comhaltas when I was at school here. I am also a member of the Hockey Club of Luxembourg.
I also think I have a greatly positive outlook in life; such as never knock it until you have tried it. I would love to represent Luxembourg in the Rose of Tralee and would do my very best to show how wonderful a place it truly is. |
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