Leitrim – Annmarie Keegan

My name is Annmarie Keegan. I am 26 years old and I am honoured to have been chosen as the 2016 Rose ambassador for my beautiful county. I hail from Aughavas, a small quaint parish in the south of Leitrim. I am the youngest of four children with two brothers and one sister. I have two nieces and two nephews and I strive to keep up my proud title of ‘Coolest Auntie ever’. After finishing my secondary school education, I moved to Galway where I spent three wonderful years completing my Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduating in 2011, I moved home to Leitrim and worked locally before making the big move to Dublin to further my education, receiving my CIPD qualification in Human Resource Management from NCI Dublin. Loving my time during the week in Dublin working as a HR Professional, I leave it all behind me come 4pm on a Friday when I make the journey back home to Leitrim, where my mother greets me with a welcoming smile and, if I am lucky, a cup of tea. I am an animal lover and have two pet Jack Russells, one of which holds a close resemblance in size and personality to a sheep dog! I love American country music and would love to one day attend a concert in the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. I have recently started teaching myself the accordion, having received my grandfather’s accordion. It is my favourite instrument and it holds great sentimental value to me so hopefully one day I will play as good as he did.I am extremely proud to be representing Leitrim and look forward to an adventurous year ahead with my fellow Roses and I know it will be an experience I will treasure forever.