THE EVENT WE’VE all been waiting for is finally upon us. The Rose of Tralee kicks off tonight, and we’ll be liveblogging the action as it happens.

Until then, familiarise yourself with some of the roses with our 16 picks, based on their lovely biographies.

The vast majority of them are teachers, doctors and nurses, but there’s one thing they all have in common–they’re all the Lovely Girls of 2013.

1. Edel Buckley – Cork

I am treasurer of the Donoughmore Tug of War club.

2. Elaine Zaunseder – Germany

You can be superman, a banana or who ever you want to be.

3. Marie McDermott – Manchester

I find a day or two on the bog very relaxing but I must admit pulling buachaláns is a job I’ll dodge if at all possible!

4. Eleanor McQuaid – Monaghan

I love spending time with my family and friends, who describe me as light-hearted, witty and sincere.

5. Judeena Carpenter – New Zealand

Kia Ora (Greetings)

Huh?

coca cola

6. Jessica Giggey – North Carolina

What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta!

7. Haley O’Sullivan – Texas

I am 25-years-old, and live in Dallas Texas, fondly referred to as the Big D.

8. Kate Kennedy – Galway

My hobbies include walking the hills of Connemara and the fields of Athenry.

9. Lorna Fennelly – Kilkenny

If I was marooned on a desert island, three essential items I would want to have are my lipstick, my hurl, and my kindle. A good book is a great friend.

10. Chloe Heslin – Limerick

I have played the recorder with the Vienna Boys Choir and have also performed music for RTE’s Killinaskully.

11. Donna Collison – Offaly

I have a small connection to President Obama, I lived in his ancestral home and I was the last child born in the house, it is only a small connection but means so much to me!

12. Orla Gately – Roscommon

My main achievements include receiving June Employee of the Month in Hodson Bay Hotel in 2011 where I worked as a waitress.

13. Olwyn Parslow – Sligo

This year I have also had an opportunity to organize events such as Take Me Out, the search for Sligo’s Most Eligible Bachelor.

14. Laura Connick – Wexford

My motto in life is to expect the unexpected when you least expect it.

15. Rachel Flynn – Western Canada

One of my proudest achievements is winning ‘Teds Got Talent’ with one of my friends at the Father Ted Festival in the Aran Islands.

16. Laura Walsh – France

I moved to Paris in 2010 and I’ve worked as a parade performer for Disneyland Paris ever since!

She deserves it for that alone.

Meet the Lovely Girls of 2013>

7 essential skills you’ll need as a Rose of Tralee escort>