Meet the judges

WITH this year’s Rose of Tralee Festival massively expanded, incorporating two qualifying heats and double the number of Roses, far more judges than usual are required. In all 12 judges will have a role in selecting Elysha Brennan’s successor.

Two separate three strong panels - one for the Irish Roses and one for the international Roses - will adjudicate at the two qualifying heats on Wednesday and Thursday. Then a third, six strong, judging panel chaired by RTE’s Mary Kennedy will make the final decision on this year’s winner following the two televised selection nights on Monday and Tuesday.

The three panels break down as follows. INTERNATIONAL ROSE OF TRALEE MAIN JUDGING PANEL Judging Panel Chairperson Mary Kennedy, RTÉ Television Presenter Mary Kennedy’s broadcasting career started in 1978 when, as a secondary school teacher, she applied for a job as an RTÉ continuity announcer. She taught English in Brittany before returning to teach at Coláiste Bríde in Clondalkin, Dublin. Mary became a newscaster in 1992 and in 1995 she presented the 40th Eurovision Song Contest. Mary Kennedy joined the hugely successful regional news programme, Nationwide, in August 2004. She has written four books. This is Mary’s ninth year on the Rose of Tralee Judging Panel and her fifth as the Chairperson. John O’Shea Sales Manager, Tipperary Crystal John O’Shea has almost three decades of Industry experience. Having commenced his career with Duiske Glass, John joined the Tipperary Crystal team as Sales Manager in 2008. Over time John has experienced and supported the evolution of the company into one of Irelands leading giftware brands. Sheila O’Hanrahan Lawlor 1980 Rose of Tralee As the Galway Rose, and Adoption Society Social Worker, Sheila was crowned the Rose of Tralee in 1980. A graduate of University College Dublin, National University of Ireland Galway and Edinburgh University, Sheila worked as Principal Social Worker in Galway University Hospitals. She is Adjunct Lecturer and Tutor at the National University of Ireland Galway. They have three adult sons. Sheila has compered the Galway, Dublin and Bruxelles Rose finals. Stephen McNally, Deputy Chief Executive, Maldron Hotel Group plc From County Meath Mr McNally has been Director and Deputy Chief Executive of Dalata Hotel Group since 2007. Ireland’s largest hotel group Dalata is parent company of Maldron Hotels, Clayton Hotels and Manager of the Company’s Partner Hotels. Stephen is currently President of the Irish Hotels Federation, and a Member of the Board of Management of Castleknock College in Dublin. Antoinette Quinn, HR Manager The Loop at Dublin and Cork Airports Antoinette Quinn is Global Human Resources Director with Aer Rianta International. A subsidiary of the DAA Group, ARI manages airport retail stores in 10 countries worldwide, including The Loop at Dublin and Cork Airports. Antoinette is based in ARI’s Dublin headquarters and is responsible for its global HR and talent management function. Charlie O’Sullivan Deputy CEO, Kerry County Council A native of County Cork, Charlie O’Sullivan is Deputy Chief Executive of Kerry County Council and Director of Service of Operations, Health and Safety. Prior to joining the staff of Kerry County Council in July 2000, he worked as an engineer with local authorities in Kildare, Carlow, Laois and Dublin in the areas of road construction, road design and sanitary services. A graduate of UCC and Trinity College Dublin, Charlie has held a number of senior positions in Kerry County Council. IRISH QUALIFYING JUDGING PANEL Dr Clare Kambamettu 2010 Rose of Tralee Clare was born in Leeds but raised in Ireland having moved there with her parents when she was eight, back to her mother’s native Co Kildare. Clare previously worked as an assistant psychologist for an NHS substance misuse service in London having completed a degree in Psychology (and in History) and an MSc in Mental Health. In 2014, Clare completed her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology at NUI Galway and she is currently a Director of Lighthouse Clinical Psychology Clinic providing Psychological Assessment and Intervention. Aoife Stokes – RTÉ Aoife Stokes is Executive Producer of RTÉ’s flagship audience current affairs TV programme, Claire Byrne Live. After more than ten years working at the public service broadcaster she led a small team to set up the show 18 months ago. She previously worked on a range of shows including the Late Late Show, Prime Time, TV and radio documentaries as well as children’s television. Ógie Moran – Foundation Director IT Tralee A Kerry GAA legend Ogie Moran currently He works with the Institute of Technology in Tralee, and is the Director of the IT Tralee Foundation. Ógie is married to Anne and they have three children, Brian, David and Denise. He won 8 All Ireland senior football medals with Kerry, captaining them to victory in 1978. His father Denis, brother Paddy, and he himself are all previous recipients of the Golden Rose Award for their support to the festival. OVERSEAS QUALIFYING JUDGING PANEL Gerrie O’Grady 1999 Rose of Tralee From Midleton Gerrie O’Grady is Manager of the Cork Deaf Association. She also performs and records music and is the lead singer of a band called Gerrie Deane and the Country Collective. Sinéad Ní Churnáin - RTÉ Born and raised in the West Kerry Gaeltacht, Sinéad cut her broadcasting teeth as a presenter on Cúla4, TG4’s flagship children’s programme. In 2004 she began to develop and present numerous programmes for RTÉ’s Young Peoples Programmes. Sinéad is currently working on a documentary for The Geansai series in which she takes a look at the vibrant GAA life in London. Brian Hurley – Irish TV A Tralee-native, Brian is a Public Relations graduate who has worked in the media industry for the last 17 years. During his 12 year tenure at Radio Kerry he worked as the Breakfast Show presenter for nine years. In 2014 Brian was asked to join Ireland’s first International TV station IRISH TV. He has since worked his way up to the role of Commissioning Editor and manages a team from his office base in Kerry.