Kilkenny – Sarah Kearns

My name is Sarah Kearns, I am 25 and I am exceptionally proud to have been chosen as the 2016 Rose ambassador for Kilkenny. Having completed a joint degree in primary education and psychology, I worked as a Primary Teacher for three years in a DEIS school in Cork. I am now pursuing a Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology through UCD, an area I am especially passionate about. Growing up in Kilkenny, and a house full of boys, it was inevitable that I would pursue a hurling/camogie career. In my 15 years playing, I collected 2 Leinster medals and 1 All-Ireland medal playing for my county. I have also participated in many other sports, including horse-riding, Irish-dancing, white collar boxing and badminton, in which I also represented Kilkenny. Unfortunately, injury forced an early end to my camogie career, but through an intense strength and conditioning programme, I am currently training for triathlons and adventure races.I’m an avid musician, having been blessed with music genes from both sides of the family. I have been playing piano and singing from a young age, and was incredibly proud to represent Kilkenny in piano and accordion in the provincial Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. I have taught piano and theory of music to young children, and loved passing on my passion for music during my teaching career, coaching the school choir for local and national choral events. Outside of my studies, I home-tutor children with special educational needs, and work as a Resource teacher every Friday, rolling out programmes in Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation.