Aislinn Ryan returned to Ireland to compete in the 2008 Rose of Tralee Festival, representing New Zealand. No stranger to Ireland or the Merry Ploughboy pub is our Aislinn - she was one of the Irish Dancers in the Merry Ploughboys show back in 2003. She left the show to join Riverdance.

She is currently studying for a degree in English Literature & History at Victoria University in Wellington. She also works as an Irish dance teacher, and would like to continue with this whilst pursuing a career in publishing, journalism or arts management when she graduates.

The 23-year-old is an accomplished Irish dancer, winning many competitions in Ireland and the US, and gained a top three placing in the world championships. She toured with Riverdance for four years, two of which she was the female lead, and has taught Irish dance throughout the US and Australia. She also enjoys reading, indoor netball, cooking and walking along Wellington’s waterfront. Her father is from Tipperary.