Róisín Wiley is honored to be named the Grand Marshal of 19th Annual Eastchester Irish American Social Club’s (EIASC) St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled for Mar 16, 2025.

 

Róisín’s roots are firmly planted in her Irish heritage, as a first-generation Irish American. Her parents, Eddie & Majella, born and raised in Ireland, moved to New York in the ‘80s, initially for a year and ended up settling down and starting their family here. Eddie & Majella are both from Co. Limerick, Eddie from Kilmallock and Majella from the parish of Templeglantine in West Limerick. The Wiley family moved to Tuckahoe in 2003, and Róisín and her younger brother John, attended Greenvale Elementary and subsequently Eastchester Middle & high schools.

 

At a very young age, Róisín began Irish dancing classes with the Hendry School of Irish Dance & tried her hand at the tin whistle under the guidance of The Woodlawn School of Music. She played Varsity Soccer with the Eastchester Eagles, amongst other sports and clubs. As a member of EIASC, Róisín has very fond memories of attending many of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations & the annual Christmas parties. Dancing with the Hendry School in Eastchester’s St. Patrick’s Parade up Rte. 22 for many years, has now made her position of leading the parade as the Grand Marshal a full circle moment.

 

In 2013, Róisín graduated from Eastchester High School and went on to attend Fairfield University where she graduated Cum Lade in Marketing and Public Relations. In 2016, she was a proud recipient of the Mary Denning Scholarship. Róisín currently works in Manhattan as a Vice President of National Sales in Consumer Marketing.

 

A few years later, in May of 2023, Róisín’s life took a very exciting turn. She was selected to represent New York in Ireland’s International Rose of Tralee Festival. The Rose of Tralee is one of Ireland’s longest running & largest festivals, centered around 32 Roses (young women) from around the world, with the culmination being the selection of an International Rose of Tralee. Roses are selected based on their personality, aspirations, and intellect; Róisín says that it was the shock of a lifetime when she was selected as the 2023 International Rose of Tralee!

 

In her time as the International Rose, Róisín traveled around the world as an ambassador to the Festival, Ireland, and Irish America. She completed a humanitarian aid trip in Poland, providing aid to Ukrainian refugee orphans with the Happy Kids Foundation, as well as walking 125km of the Camino de Santiago in support of Cliona’s Foundation, a charity for families of sick children. She traveled around Ireland visiting schools, elderly homes, and business, gracing the cover of magazines and newspapers. The Rose of Tralee provided Róisín with a platform and opportunity to find her own self confidence and spread goodness and positivity to those she met. Her connection to Ireland has been cemented even greater than before and this experience has changed her life.

 

Amongst a year of traveling, it was her time spent back in New York that became more important to her than ever. The Irish community in New York and Eastchester supported her in such a special way, and she will be forever grateful. Róisín will always remember her time as the International Rose of Tralee, as one of the greatest experiences and honors of her lifetime.

 

Róisín is accompanied by four Aide’s, her brother, John Wiley, and great friends, Briana Jagoe (formerly Travers), daughter of Breda & Frank Travers, Daniel Hendry, son of Anne & Jim Hendry and Cathrena Collins, the 2022 New York Rose of Tralee, daughter of Patrice Buckley & John Collins. John, Briana, Danny, and Cathrena are Eastchester natives and have each played an important role in Róisín’s life through friendship, guidance, and endless support. It is an honor for Róisín to have each of these people stand with her.