Noreen Donhue-McAleer is the daughter of Bill and Frances Donahue.  Noreen was the first ever Philadelphia Rose of Tralee!  Noreen is a graduate of Bloomsburg University and now works as an elementary school teacher.  She was an Irish dancer for 13 years and qualifed for the World Irish Dancing Championship.  In May of 2003, she passed her TCRG Exam in Limerick, Ireland and is an instructor of Irish Dance at the Cummins School.  In July of 2006, Noreen married Peter McAleer and they reside in Glenside.

 SHEENA TRAINOR, 2003

Sheena Trainor is the daughter of Joe and Kathy.  She is a graduate of Chestnut Hill College with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education.  Sheena is a music teacher at Bishop McDevitt High School.  She has strong Irish roots, as her father is from County Tyrone!

SINEAD DEROISTE, 2004

Sinead DeRoiste is the daughter of Leah Roche of Harrisburg and Donal DeRoiste of Tipperary.  Sinead is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a bachelors in humanities, major in communications.  She was honored by the YWCA for her role in the Pennsylvania Immigration and Refugee Women's Network (PAIRWN) celebration.  She will eventually return to Ireland to continue her good work with the Chernobyl Children's Project. Sinead made history in 2004 as the first ever Irish African-American Rose (in Philadelphia and Tralee) and is well known for her beautiful poem "My Heart" in which she describes her multi cultural background. 

KAREN BOYCE, 2005

Karen Boyce McCollum, the 2005 Philadelphia Rose, is the youngest of a large Irish family from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. Her parents, Barney and Carmel Boyce, both hail from Donegal, Ireland, where she visits almost every year.  Karen is the youngest of six children and considers her brothers and sisters to be her very best friends. She is 28 years old and has a bachelors of Science degree in Corporate Communications from Drexel University.  Karen has been working in the pharmaceutical industry as a Communications and Public Relations specialist.  Karen has a love for performing, can be seen, and heard singing and dancing in the area with her Irish band, Causeway and at many bars, festivals, weddings and events in the Philadelphia-region.  She is an accomplished Irish step-dancer and currently takes fiddle lessons.  Karen is an active member in the Philadelphia Irish community and serves as a public speaker for many functions. She served as master of ceremonies for the Philadelphia Donegal Ball for the past four years and recently served as a guest television commentator on CBS3 for the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day parade. One of Karen’s lifelong dreams was fulfilled when she was crowned the 2005 Philadelphia Rose and was able to experience the International Rose of Tralee festival that summer. Speaking of lifelong dreams, Karen was recently married to her long-time sweetheart and Havertown-native, Brian McCollum in September 2006.    

CHRISTINE FRAWLEY, 2006

(With a few of the Rosebuds)

Christine Frawley is a resident of Yardley, PA.  Her Grandmother, Teresa Naughton emigrated from Kilconnell, County Galway and her Grandfather, Patrick Frawley, emigrated from Kilmurray-McMahon, County Clare.  She is a first grade teacher in Bristol Township School District.  Christine is proud to work in such a diverse community and encourages her students to express their cultures in the classroom.  She has even taught her students Irish Dancing!  When she is not teaching, her interests include participating in after school tutoring programs, community service, traveling and kickboxing.  Christine Frawley returned this past summer to Tralee to cheer on our 2007 Rose, Colleen!!!

Colleen is a twenty-three year old native of Bryn Mawr, PA and a member of St. John Neumann Parish. She is the oldest of seven girls, and feels truly blessed to be a part of such an amazing family. A graduate of DeSales University with a B.A. in Theatre - Acting/Directing, she has been pursuing a career in acting and is proud to say she has been successful so far. Her passions lie in the area of musical theatre, singing, and making a difference by supporting people in need, emotionally and mentally. Her plans for the future consist of going back to school for an MA in Dramatherapy, and ultimately forming a national touring company focusing on crisis awareness for college aged students. In her free time, Colleen loves to delight in the little things and spending time with family and friends.