A BRAVE and beautiful Killarney woman has been crowned Kerry Rose for 2015.
Juliette Culloty from Kilcummin was the hugely popular choice for the title which was revealed at a gala reception in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel, Tralee on Saturday night.
The stunning 25-year-old, who graduated from the Institute of Technology Tralee in 2011, is a social care worker and she has worked on a number of projects with disadvantaged children and children in care.
A real sports enthusiast, in her spare time she enjoys football, soccer, music and walking.
Juliette, who is the second youngest of eight children, said she was overwhelmed to hear her name being called out as this year’s Kerry Rose.
“I’m totally shocked. It was really a last-minute decision to enter,” she said.
Sponsored by John Buckley Plant Hire, she was chosen from 24 contestants who took part in the Kerry final, hosted by the high-profile Dáithí Ó Sé.
Juliette, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer this time last year, said she’s in good health and she is really looking forward to the coming months.
“I have to go for check-ups every three months just to keep on top of things. My scans and everything are looking good so it’s great and everything is looking really good at the minute,” she said.
She said she is determined to raise awareness of cervical cancer in younger women after being diagnosed with the illness herself.
The new Kerry Rose can now begin to plan for what promises to be a summer to remember as she flies the flag of her native county in a festival with a truly international dimension.
Juliette succeeds Rathmore teacher Mary Hickey as Kerry Rose and the adjudicators for the big event on Saturday night included 1989 Rose of Tralee Sinead Boyle and popular pediatrician Dr George Philip of the Bon Secours Hospital, Tralee.
