Danielle O’Sullivan ~ our Killarney Rose

AFTER months of anticipation Kerry Rose Danielle O’Sullivan says she can’t wait for the festival to kick off.

On Tuesday evening Danielle arrived back to Kerry after a whirlwind trip round Ireland with her fellow Roses.

The tour – and meeting her new Rose pals – was something the 23-year-old Killarney Law Student said she had been looking forward to for weeks.

Whether she is crowned Rose of Tralee or not Danielle will be returning to College in September to pursue her Masters in Human Rights Law and Criminal Justice. So, with the year ahead guaranteed to be busy she said she intends enjoying every last second of the Festival. Danielle said she has always had a dream of becoming the Kerry Rose and she revealed she was inspired to take part this year by a former contender.

“It’s handy coming from Kerry. You kind of grow up with the festival and it was always in the back of my mind that wouldn’t it be lovely to be the Kerry Rose. This year it all fell in to place for me. I work part time in The Grand in Killarney while I’m in college and my employer was actually the Cork Rose in the 90s and she encouraged me to go for it,” said Danielle.

“I thought about it then and I figured this year seemed right. So The Grand sponsored me, it all fell into place and here I am. It’s great,” she said. Danielle said she’s looking forward to everything that lies ahead but there are a few events she’s particularly excited about.

“In terms of what I’m really looking forward to it’s definitely the parade for me. When I was a little girl you’d come over to Tralee from Killarney to watch the parade. Before I even understood what the Rose was all about I’d see the lights, the girls and all the pretty dresses and the girls on the big floats and it all looked very exciting,” Danielle said.

“Then when I understood what it all was it was even better. You would always look forward to it and you’d always be looking out for the Kerry Rose. I’m really looking forward to the parade. I’ll be at home in Kerry and It’ll be lovely. I can’t wait for that,” said Danielle.

For more from Danielle check out our extended interview with her in the main newspaper.