Hello Tralee! My name is Tara Ryan, and I am a 24-year-old Philadelphia native. I first joined the Rose community as a Rose Bud in 2007. I am so excited to be back in Ireland and have the chance to represent Philadelphia in this year's festival.
I recently graduated with my Masters in Public Relations & Sports Media from Syracuse University and am currently doing sports marketing for two large international companies. As a lifelong athlete and a woman in the sports industry, I have a passion for fighting for young girls to not only be included in sports but for those girls to know that they belong in sport.
My dad is from Portarlington, Co Laois, where his nine siblings and dozens of my cousins/BFFs still reside. My mom's family is from Ballina, Co Mayo, where I got to visit my family just this fall.
Throughout history, my family has taken great pride in representing Ireland. From my great-grandfather in the 1916 Easter Rising to my brother Shane on the Irish National Team at the Olympics, I hope to continue the tradition and represent the Irish of Philadelphia with that same pride!
