Derby – Kara Foley

My name is Kara Foley, I am 27 years old and I’m from Derby, UK. I studied Youth and Community Development at Leeds Metropolitan University where I achieved a 2:1 Honours Degree. I currently work closely with young people in the local communities of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire within schools, thus allowing me to gain further knowledge and experience within this sector where I hope to progress a lifelong career. I thoroughly enjoy creating and supporting young people to improve their opportunities and quality of life. My Father was born in Co. Cork. He is from a village not too far from Blarney, called Carraig Na BhFear. My maternal grandmother is from Milford, north of Cork city. I am the eldest child out of five children. Living in Derby and having grown up here with its large Irish community, attending the local Catholic school, I have made many great lifelong friends. I love the community spirit within Derby that my family are a part of. I have worked in the local Irish Centre and know many people. It is great to grow up in a community that you really feel a part of. I am extremely proud of my heritage and to represent the local Derby Centre and community. The Rose of Tralee is something that has always been a part of my life since childhood. It’s something that I have always wanted to do and feel privileged now to represent the Derby Centre. Derby has a thriving and patriotic Irish Community, to represent them is truly an honour and a dream come true. I hope I am able to make the centre, my community, family and friends proud.