Hi there!

      This is Kelsey Kelleher, the 2013 Friends of St. Patrick Young Ambassador representing Phoenix, Arizona in Northern Ireland. I was chosen by the Phoenix Chapter in conjunction with the Phoenix Irish Cultural Center earlier this year out of a field of highly accomplished and wonderful people (who would have also made amazing ambassadors and will hopefully represent Arizona in the future). I'm curently a Theatre major at Arizona State University with a concentration in Design and Production with a focus in Costume Design. I'm also pretty going to minors in dance and music performance and I am working towards a TESOL which certifies me to teach English as second language. I work at Udder Delight in Frontier Town, Cave Creek, Arizona. I also work in childcare and I volunteer at the Irish Cultural Center and Library with the lovely Mary Moriarity.

     I am in Ireland with the purpose of aiding reconciliation between Northern Ireland and the Republic and to promote awareness of the healing process and encourage relations between the United States and Ulster. There are seven Young Ambassadors this year. There are two from Toronto, Canada: Caroline Murphy, an Art History student, and Ryan Straney, who is interested in broadcasting and journalism. There are two Young Ambassadors from Milwaukee, Wisconsin (where I grew up): kelly Jo Johnson, who is interested in teaching, and Brendan Murphy, who is pursuing a career in archaeology. There is a young Ambassador from Albany (really from Long Island) named Matthew Kelly, a Linguistic and French major, one from Minnesota: Rya Haglund who is becoming an Occupational Therapist, and finally me from Arizona!

     We arrived in Ireland on Friday morning and have experienced so much so far that it is a bit overwhelming to write it all down. Although I am behind, I promise to get caught up and give details of what we do, post photos, and tell you about some of the amazing things I've experienced. I am just heading off to bed now for an early morning tomorrow (it's just past one in the morning here and only 5 pm at home).

     I'm so incredibly grateful to be here and I consider myself blessed with this amazing opportunity. I have already grown close to the other Young Ambassadors and am having the time of my life! I am trying to soak everything in (especially all of the different greens!) and I know already that my heart will break when I have to leave.

     I miss all my friends and family dearly. You all are the only reason that I will be alright with going back to Arizona.

     Much love,
Kelsey Christian Maryanne Minnehan Finnegan Kelleher