Daithi O'Se will host the 2018 Rose of Tralee International Festival
Eleven women will represent the USA in the 2018 Rose of Tralee Festival in Co Kerry
The 2018 Rose of Tralee International Festival has kicked off this week in Ireland. Rose candidates from all over the world have joined together for a tour around the Emerald Isle before descending on a massive festival in Tralee, Co Kerry.
Host and Co Kerry native Daithi O’Se has his work cut out for him in interviewing these stunning contestants in the Rose Dome in Tralee. A panel of judges will help narrow down the pool before the official 2018 Rose of Tralee is crowned on August 21.
Read More: Meet the good boys and girls competing for Ireland’s animal Rose of Tralee
Representatives span several countries and continents, but there’s a strong contingent from the USA this year. Check out the American Roses here!
Arizona: Kelsey Kelleher
25 year old Kelsey hails from Phoenix, Arizona and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Design and Production with a minor in both Dance and Music. Kelsey works for the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library and volunteers with several Irish organizations.
Boston / New England: Sorcha Rochford
27 year old Sorcha lives and works in Boston, Massachusetts, and traces her Irish roots through her parents, who are both from Ballyduff in Co Kerry. Sorcha is a Political and Advocacy Director and holds her master's degree from Suffolk University.
Chicago: Katie Callahan
25 year old Katie is from Chicago and spent the last year working at Dublin’s Gaiety Theater. She holds a masters degree in Business Leadership. Katie is now the Business Development manager for Weekend Student Adventures, which assists students studying abroad in Europe.
Florida: Victoria Sexton
24 year old Victoria was born in Dublin and grew up on a farm in Co Kildare. Having moved stateside with her family in 2004, Victoria is now a vocal student at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Kentucky: Lori Gavin
25 year old Lorraine hails from Co Mayo and is a graduate from University of Limerick. Lori has visited over 50 countries, but now calls Kentucky home as she works as an Operations Manager for Portwest USA through the Enterprise Ireland G4IG program.
New York: Sarah Ward
22 year old Sarah is a born and bred New Yorker. Sarah recently completed her degree in Biology and Psychology and is a proud registered nurse who hopes to work in women’s health and family planning in the future.
Read More: Ten things you never knew about the Rose of Tralee (PHOTOS)
North Carolina: Hannah Virga
25 year old Hannah is from North Carolina and has her master’s degree in Business and Human Resources from the University of Richmond. Hannah is currently a fraud analyst with Capital One bank and, a coffee connoisseur, she hopes to one day own her own coffee shop.
Ohio: Erin Stefancin
22 year old Erin is from Cleveland and is now pursuing her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at The Ohio State University. Sarah has a passion for singing and hopes to work with adults in acute care hospital settings after she completes her degree.
Philadelphia: Katie Keenan
22 year old Katie is currently studying Communications at Temple University and spent this summer working at a casting agency in New York. Katie is a passionate traveler, and has also co-founded the non-profit ‘Jordy’s Cause’ named after her sister Jordan.
Texas: Kimberly Corser
22 year old Kimberly will graduate from Texas A&M University next spring with a degree in Economics. Kimberly hopes to create her own non-profit after graduation to benefit families struggling from cancer. An Irish dancer, Kimberly has competed at the World Championships and plans on getting her teaching certification after college.
Washington, D.C.: Michelle Karkos
26 year old Michelle currently works as an analyst for the Department of Justice. Michelle plans on attending graduate school next fall to continue her career in law enforcement.
Do you have a favorite for the 2018 Rose of Tralee? Let us know in the comments!