Aoibhe’s joy at Community
BALLYBUNION native 21-year old Aoibhe Joy is looking forward to representing Listowel when she takes to the stage at the Kerry Rose Selection Night in May of this year.
Aoibhe is the latest community rose to be selected in the Kingdom following a hugely successful Listowel Community Rose Selection that saw 18 girls vying for the title from across North Kerry.
Just like the International Rose Festival, the girls took to the stage for their interviews with Radio Kerry’s Brendan Fuller and there was great excitement when Aoibhe’s name was pulled.
“It was so unexpected I even said it on the night,” she told The Kerryman this week. “I can’t wait to see where this experience will go .. I am delighted to be associated with such an event .. It is going to be an unbelievable experience,” she added.
Aoibhe is the daughter of Trish Parkes and David Joy both of whom are delighted that their daughter is representing Listowel in the Kerry Rose Selection process as is her twin brother David.
Aoibhe, spent many years working in the Cliff House Hotel before moving on to work in Áras Mhuire Nursing Home. A keen footballer, she plays with Beale GAA club, but also enjoys walking, reading, pilates and horse riding.
She enjoys the idea of trying new things and jumping at new opportunities, even if they’re a little out of her comfort zone - she likes to find the positive and enjoyable aspects in everything.
The Listowel Community Rose night was in association with Áras Mhuire Nursing Home where Aoibhe works and two residents from the facility James Gould and Breda Moore were given the title of honorary rose and escort for the night and in fact James went one step further and entertained the roses with his version of ‘The Rose of Tralee’ much to the delight of the audience and the contestants.
18 Escorts also put their name forward for the night and the winning escort was Sean O’Donoghue from Abbeydorney. Sean works as a relief milker and tractor driver, plays hurling for Crotta O’ Neills, and keep greyhounds for racing in Tralee. He now has the opportunity of becoming an escort for the festival in August.
Both Aoibhe and Sean will take part in the Kerry Rose Selection in the Killarney Heights Hotel on May 17, and will enjoy many more events throughout the year in ambassadorial roles for Listowel.
Kerry Rose co-ordinator Suzan O’Gara thanked all the people of Listowel for coming out in their droves to support, and to each and every generous sponsor, without whom it couldn’t have happened.
Two community Roses have now been chosen to go forward to the Kerry Rose Selection Night on May 17 at the Killarney Heights Hotel where the Kerry Rose for the International Rose of Tralee festival will be selected. General applications are also open so any girl can put their name in the hat. Details on the Rose of Tralee website.