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Aislinn Ryan returned to Ireland as the New Zealand Rose at the Rose of Tralee Festival 2008. She danced in The Merry Ploughboy Irish nights show back in 2005 before leaing to join Riverdance, performing as Female Lead up until Christmas 2007.

She previously competed with distinction in Irish dancing in NZ and Australia with the Wellington Kildunne Irish Dancing school from an early age. Her father is from Cahir, Co Tipperary and emigrated to NZ in 1967.

Aislinn is pictured on the left pulling a few pints at the Merry Ploughboy and below left with Donal Cawley. The YouTube clip is of the dance she peformed at the Rose of Tralee.