Boston & New England Rose heads to Tralee

Boston & New England Rose Sarah Hogan will be one of 32 women to appear in the televised finals of the Rose of Tralee in Co. Kerry this August. The twenty year-old Media Studies and Theater graduate has strong family connections to Ireland with her father Frank hailing from Ballymacelligott, Co.Kerry.

Sarah attended The New School University in New York City and spent last summer studying Irish Theater at The Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. Her passions include acting and film and she has appeared in numerous commercials, stage productions, as well as having had minor roles in popular television shows. She has also done some modeling, including work for makeup companies such as NARS and MAC, as well as fashion houses and Glamour Magazine. Sarah is an advocate for anti-bullying and arts therapy and much of her creative work is a reflection of that.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival celebrates modern young women in terms of their aspirations, ambitions, intellect, social responsibility and Irish heritage. The Festival is one of Ireland's largest and longest running festivals, celebrating 56 years in 2015. The heart of the festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to County Kerry, Ireland for a global celebration of Irish culture. The festival also includes street entertainment, carnival, live concerts, theatre, circus, markets, funfair, fireworks and Rose Parades.

"I am proud to call myself an Irish American. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been given this opportunity and I'm excited to be going back to Ireland!" said Sarah. She has created a gofundme page in the hopes of raising funds for her and her family's participation in the festival as well as for The Boston & New England Rose Center. For further details and to make a donation please visit www.gofundme.com/w9s7rh8

The Irish Cultural Center in Canton will also host send off party for Sarah before she leaves for Tralee. The event takes place on July 25th at 7pm and all are welcome to attend.

Further information can also be found at thebostonrose.org and www.roseoftralee.ie