September 2017

Offaly Rose Jennifer Byrne New International Rose of Tralee

She is almost there! Thank you to all our sponsors and partners who help the Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre provide amazing young women like Vanessa with the opportunity to participate in the International Festival:

July 2017

May 2017

For the First Time in History: An International Rose of Tralee in Canada's Capital!

This spring was off to a wonderful start with the Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre hosting the International Rose of Tralee for the first time. Maggie McEldowney who hails from Chicago made a day visit to Ottawa as part of her commitment to visit all North American Centres – the first International Rose of Tralee to do so!

Roses all in a row L-R: Laura Hay (2010 Ottawa Rose); Claire Conway (2015 Ottawa Rose); Maggie McEldowney (2016 Chicago Rose and International Rose of Tralee); Vanessa Foran (2017 Ottawa Rose); Sarah Griffin (2016 Ottawa Rose) and Stephanie Coull (2014 Ottawa Rose). Photo Courtesy of Sarah Thorenton (2009 Ottawa Rose).

April 2017

Congratulations Vanessa Foran: Selected to be the 2017 Ottawa Rose!

March 2017

Meet the 2017 Ottawa Rose Applicants!

Check out our 2017 Applicants Page to read the full bios of these amazing young women. One will be selected to represent Ottawa at the Rose of Tralee International Festival this summer - Who will become our next Ottawa Rose?

Tickets are now available for the 2017 Rose of Tralee Ottawa Selection. Join us at the Irish Ambassador's Residence for on-stage interviews, party pieces and entertainment. Cocktail attire encouraged.

Tickets are no longer available.

March 2017

2017 Ottawa Centre and Rose Sponsors:

Les Suites Hotel Ottawa           Aer Lingus         Embassy of Ireland - Canada

Heart & Crown Irish Pubs       Ottawa Gaels    Irish Embassy Pub Grill Montreal    

Montreal Shamrocks              Bow&Pearl (Ireland)              

                        Om Diva (Ireland)               Sharon Dillon Designer Headpieces (Ireland)

2017 Selection Weekend Sponsors and Partners:

      Surgenor Ottawa                          Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa

St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa             Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts   

    D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Pub                 Sue Fay Healy School of Irish Dance

Alison Slattery Photography              Irish Women’s Network of Ontario

               Irish Film Festival Ottawa                Irish Society of the National Capital Region

February 2017

Next Ottawa Rose Centre Event: Cooking Class

January 2017

The 2017 Ottawa Rose Search has begun!

December 2016

Season's Greetings!

Autumn 2016

The Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre would like to congratulate Chicago Rose, Maggie McEldowney on becoming the 2016 International Rose of Tralee. Maggie is a 27 year-old Chicago native working as the Director of Development at Marist High School. She is a graduate from the University of Illinois with a degree in Media Studies.  Maggie is actively involved in the Chick Evans Scholar Alumni Community and serves on the Board of the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, a committee responsible for coordinating fundraisers that celebrate Irish culture. In 2015, she ran the Chicago Marathon raising money for local charities. She has also volunteered her time at Chicago events such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Gala, the American Ireland Fund Green Gala, and Mulliganeers fundraisers. Her roots hail from Co. Derry.  

 A Message from the 2016 Ottawa Rose:

Officially back and settled on Canadian soil and attempting to describe the most amazing four weeks of my life has proven very difficult. It was with a heavy, but full heart that I left Ireland and my 2016 Rose of Tralee family consisting of 64 phenomenal, independent and inspirational women. My experience at the Rose of Tralee Festival and travelling to Ireland to represent Ottawa was fun-filled and exhausting, yet truly unbelievable and I would do it all over again if I could! 

The morning of Sunday, August 21st was a particularly early and stressful one as we learned of the top 32 roses, chosen by 3 panels of judges, to be on live, national television. I broke down in tears of joy as I was announced to be among them and was absolutely delighted to be able to stand in front of over 2 million people and represent my centre, family, and incredible communities that I call home. I am truly blessed and thankful to represent such vibrant Irish communities not only in Ottawa, but from Kingston to Quebec City, and everywhere in between.

I am thankful every day that so many years ago, Thomas Griffin and Lawrence Fitzmaurice made the difficult choice to leave St. Mullin's, Co. Carlow and Ardfert, Co. Kerry respectively, and immigrate to Canada. My heritage has shaped me into the strong, independent woman I am today cherishing family, friendship and community above all.

I have to say a massive thanks to my supportive family, friends, the Ottawa Gaels GAA and Eastern Canada GAA who came to Tralee to give me some last minute pep talks before hitting the stage, SFH Irish Dance Studio, the Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre, the Irish Society of the National Capital Region, Rosemary O'Brien for helping me with anything and everything from advice to hats, and Stephanie Coull, our incredible 2014 Ottawa Rose, for being my rock in Tralee and continuing to represent the Ottawa Rose centre with poise and confidence. Last but not least, I would also like to thank all the wonderful members of the community here in Ottawa, as I could not have made it through this without each and every one of you.

I look forward to continuing my involvement throughout our great community here in Ottawa to the end of term as the 2016 Ottawa Rose as well as for many years to come; once a rose, always a rose!

August 2016

The Road to Tralee in 2016 

 With months of events under her belt, Sarah is prepared for the frenzy of the Rose of Tralee International Festival!

Request our newsletter for further updates and photos: info@roseoftralee.ca

The Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre hopes that every Rose from around the world enjoys her own journey to Tralee in 2016. With events of a lifetime about to begin for these young women; we would like to acknowledge all four Canadian Roses who have made their way to Ireland:

July 2016

Tralee Send-off for the 2016 Ottawa Rose

May 2016

2016 Ottawa Rose Sarah Griffin Springs into Action

Since being selected the 2016 Ottawa Rose in March, Sarah Griffin has been actively participating in community events. April included a 1916 Commemorative Concert hosted at the Official Residence of the Irish Ambassador to Canada; and attending a bilingual Irish/English production of Pearce in Pictures by Fíbín at Saint Brigid’s Centre. In May, Sarah’s focus was participating in the first Darkness Into Light 5K Run/Walk to be hosted in Ottawa on May 7th in support of Pieta House. Photos from all these events were shared in our newsletter. Not on our mailing list yet? Contact us at info@roseoftralee.ca!

March 2016 

CONGRATULATIONS SARAH GRIFFIN: 2016 OTTAWA ROSE

The Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre is pleased to announce that Sarah Griffin has been selected to be the 2016 Ottawa Rose. She will be one of four Canadians participating in the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Ireland this August. 

Sarah has an Honours Bachelor of Arts with specialization in Linguistics and a Minor in Celtic Studies from the University of Ottawa as well as a diploma from Dawson College in Modern Languages. She would like to complete a one-year graduate certificate, starting in the fall, to be a Communicative Disorders Assistant. Born in Montreal, Sarah now lives outside of Ottawa in Lanark County. This 23-year old’s focus for the past 11 years has been competitive Irish dancing with Moran Academy in Deux-Montagnes, and Sue Fay Healy Irish Dance Studio in Ottawa. Sarah has competed at multiple championships, her most recent being the 2015 All Ireland Championships in Killarney, Co. Kerry. In the same year, Sarah received an Ireland-Canada University Fund (ICUF) scholarship to study Irish for a month in Galway. Her paternal great-grandfather emigrated from Co. Carlow and maternal great-great-grandfather left Co. Kerry, both to settle in Quebec. 

In her first week as the Ottawa Rose, Sarah attended the St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon on March 17th at the National Irish Canadian Cultural Centre. She then walked in both the Ottawa and Montreal St. Patrick’s Day parades on the weekend. You can see Sarah highlighted in this Ottawa Life Magazine article about the celebrations taking place at the parade after-party, Saturday. We know this is only the beginning of her amazing year.

March 2016

The 2016 Ottawa Rose Selection Weekend Is Here!

We welcome 11 Applicants to this year's Rose Selection. Who will become the next Ottawa Rose? Join us to find out!

February 2016

Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre Fundraiser 

Come join us for an evening with friends, music, fashion, and boutiques! Proceeds go to the Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre as we prepare for the 2016 Selection weekend in March.

January 2016

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED  

 March 2015

2015 Ottawa Rose Selection Weekend

Thank you to all our sponsors, partners, volunteers, panelists, and of course Rose Applicants for another successful Ottawa Rose Selection Weekend! Check out our gallery page to see what took place.

Congratulations to Claire Conway on being selected our Newest Ottawa Rose!

March 2015 

Who will be the next Ottawa Rose?

February 2015

The search has begun!

“I’m not going to lie, but when my name was announced I thought to myself ‘my boss is not going to be very happy’. When I went for this trip, my boss said, ‘don’t come back with the crown’. Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to spending the next 12 months encouraging women of Irish origin and descent to take part in this wonderful Festival.”

Maria’s parents are Noreen and Vincent, she has two brothers – Kevin and Michael - and a sister, Eileen and, being an avid Mayo Gaelic football fan is particularly looking forward to next Sunday’s All-Ireland Semi-final against Kerry.

She is a Pioneer and a member of the Glencorrib Center since she was twelve and she has volunteered for many years with the Pioneer Association and No Name Club, two organizations that focus on the development of our young people.

In addition to the honour becoming the 2014 Rose of Tralee, Maria has won a prize package that includes a treasure trove of Newbridge Jewellery and Homeware, a €25,000 World Travel Prize sponsored by The Loop at Dublin and Cork Airports and a year’s driving in the new Kia Soul worth €25,000 from Kia and McElligotts of Tralee.

This year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival kicked-off on Friday August 15th and around 200,000 people were in Tralee over the course of the five-day Festival, the highlights of which were Union J, Walking on Cars, three parades, two fireworks displays and an airshow.

The Street Carnival in the town centre was complimented by the Dome events that included Nathan Carter, the sell-out 1100 capacity Rose Ball, two Rose selection nights and The Kerryman Fashion Show which was attended by nearly 1600 people.

The General Manager of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, Oliver Hurley, commended the local business community and the dedication of the team of 150 volunteers who worked tirelessly to deliver a top class event to people of all ages.

Planning for the 2015 Rose of Tralee International Festival will get underway in the coming weeks and the dates for next year’s event are set to be confirmed in September.

Applications are now being accepted to become Roses in 2015 and full details are available from www.roseoftralee.ie. 

July 2014

2014 Rose of Tralee Regional Festival

Ottawa Rose Stephanie Coull made her way over to Ireland last month for the Rose of Tralee Regional Festival. The 27 year old Montreal native holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anatomy & Cell Biology from McGill University and another in Education from the University of Ottawa. She currently works as a chemistry and mathematics teacher at the Sacred Heart School of Montreal. Alongside almost 60 other Roses from around the world, Stephanie was one of three Canadians participating in the festival that celebrates Irish culture and the modern Irish woman.

You will soon be able to see what Stephanie got to experience as the 2014 Ottawa Rose in Portlaoise on the Ottawa Centre's gallery page and Facebook album. Stephanie had her on-stage interview on the Friday night with support in the audience coming from Austin Comerton, her family, Keira Kilmartin (2013 Ottawa Rose), and even support from Stephanie's dance school in Montreal (Bernadette Short's School of Irish Dancing)! Stephanie did an amazing job representing Ottawa and Canada as a whole - we are so proud of her! For 2014, the Toronto and Western Canada Roses are the two Canadians who will be representing Canada in Tralee this August.

From Stephanie:

I am so grateful and thankful to have been a part of the wonderful experience granted to me through the Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre. To be able to count myself amongst the women I met over my week in Portlaoise is truly the best gift of the entire experience. From our first visits to local schools and playgroups to dancing with the Rosebuds in the rain and laughing with 60 amazing new friends as we got to know each other, The Rose of Tralee Regional Festival was life-changing! Our common love of Ireland and our Irish roots was a unifying factor like none other. We were kept busy but none of the sore feet or tired eyes mattered because the love, support and admiration we received from the people of Co. Laois were second to none.

The Rose of Tralee Festival celebrates all things Irish and how much the diaspora continues to support and connect with Ireland. I was honoured to represent Ottawa on stage and to have support from Ottawa and Montreal in the audience meant the world. Although I will not be on stage with Daithi O'Se in the Dome in Tralee this year, I will be there with bells on to support my 32 Rose sisters who will represent all of us with grace and style. It doesn't end there though! I look forward to supporting the Ottawa Irish community throughout the rest of my year as the 2014 Ottawa Rose. Go raibh mile maibh agat!

The Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre is so proud to have such a poised and gracious Rose in 2014. We are thrilled that Canada's Capital continues to be represented so well by another young women of Irish descent on the International Stage.

May 2014

MOTHER'S DAY FASHION SHOW

Our fashion show fundraiser at the Irish Ambassador's Residence returns for a second year.

Come admire the spring/summer collections from Melanie Lyne and millinery from local Chapeaux de Madeleine 

Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased through our homepage.  Those in attendance have a chance to WIN A TRIP TO IRELAND!

 April 2014

STEPHANIE COULL OUR 2014 OTTAWA ROSE

Congratulations to Stephanie Coull on being selected the 2014 Ottawa Rose! Stephanie was sponsored by the Sacred Heart School of Montreal in the Ottawa Selection from March 14th-16th, 2014.

Stephanie will travel to Ireland in May for the Rose of Tralee Regionals in Portlaoise Co. Laois with an opportunity to return to Ireland again in August for the Rose of Tralee International Festival in County Kerry.

Best of luck Stephanie!

March 2014

THE OTTAWA SELECTION IS THIS WEEKEND!

Come join us for the Selection event at the Ambassador's Residence on Sunday March 16th. Not able to join us there? Be sure to check out the Roses at their other public appearances:

SATURDAY MARCH 15th  

11am:  During the 2014 Ottawa St. Patrick's Parade. Starting at 11am in front of City Hall

3:45pm: Outside Parliament Hill

6:00pm: Attending the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Dinner and Ceili (Tickets must be purchased in advance at: http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/) 

SUNDAY MARCH 16th

8am: Tune into the Roses being interviewed live in studio on the Gaelic Hour (CJLL 97.9FM)

Noon: Public Meet and Greet at the Celtic Cross Pub and Eatery (343 Somerset, at Bank Street)

3pm: THE OTTAWA ROSE SELECTION being hosted at the Irish Ambassador's Residence. Tickets on sale through our homepage!

A huge note of thanks to all of our sponsors and partners. Without your support the 2014 Ottawa Rose Selection would not be possible:

February 2014

The Upcoming Rose Season

The deadline for applications is fast-approaching. All interested individuals must have their application submitted to info@roseoftralee.ca by Monday February 24th, 2014. We have another great Ottawa Rose Selection Weekend planned for March 14th-16th so stay tuned for more details including photos and bios of our 2014 Ottawa Rose Applicants.

As we come into the new "Rose Season" we have a number of events planned. Interested in attending our Irish Dinner Cookery Class on Saturday March 1st? Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite on our homepage. You will even have the opportunity to meet the Ottawa Fury Midfielder, Richie Ryan. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance.

We also have tickets on sale now for our Ottawa Rose Selection Event on Sunday March 16th, hosted at the Residence of the Irish Ambassador in Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa. Tickets for the selection are $25. Come support the young women who are seeking to represent Ottawa in Ireland at one of the longest running Irish Festivals. Enjoy their on-stage interviews with MC Michael O'Byrne from CTV News. Who will be the next Ottawa Rose? Come find out for yourself on Sunday March 16th!  

January 2014

Accepting Applications for the 2014 Ottawa Rose

Happy New Year! For all those who have considered applying to be the Ottawa Rose - we are now accepting applications.

Submission Deadline: Monday February 24th, 2014

November 2013

An eventful autumn for our 2013 Rose

Following the festivities in Tralee, 2013 Ottawa Rose Keira Kilmartin settled into an Irish routine to begin four years of Medicine at University College Cork. Keeping in touch with some of the other Roses and Escorts, Keira has run a 10k for charity, attended impromptu Rose reunions, the Hi Style Awards, and the Friends of A Black Tie Ball while still in Ireland. Take a browse through our 2013 gallery to see for yourself!

Founded in 2012, Friends of A was established in memory of the 2010 Texas Rose of Tralee Adrienne Hussey by her family and friends with an aim to raise money to fund ongoing research into cranial aneurysms. This charity has gained considerable successes since its inception including the establishment of the University of Limerick Adrienne Hussey Scholarship, charity walks/runs, and most recently the Black Tie Ball. This year's Rose of Tralee Haley O’Sullivan  was in attendance which seems most fitting, as Haley represented Texas in 2013 at the Festival. The Ottawa Centre is thrilled Keira was able to attend the Ball and congratulates Friends of A for its successes to date – keep up the amazing work.

On this side of the Atlantic, the Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre hosted a Cookery Class and Dinner as our fall fundraiser. With an Oíche Shamhna theme on Halloween Night, we encouraged attendees to dress in costume – and did they ever. Check out the gallery below. Special thanks to the staff in the Gloucester Loblaws’ President’s Choice Cooking School and Wine Rack. Donna, Thuy, Jennifer, and Lori: Your enthusiam was contagious and we loved partnering up with such a great group of foodies and experts in the field. You not only cooked up a storm but also taught us about shopping and cooking for the whole realm of dietary considerations today: diabetes, coeliac disease, lactose intolerance, high-blood pressure, high-cholesterol – the tips seemed endless! What is more, we were thrilled to have Keira on hand to speak to the crowd about her experiences thus far as the Ottawa Rose.

It may be hard to believe it is that time already, but we are starting the search for 2014 Applicants. If you know of a young woman who would represent us well in Ireland at the 2014 Rose of Tralee International Festival encourage her to get in touch with us at the Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre: info@roseoftralee.ca. We would also like to note that the 2014 Ottawa Centre Brochure and Application form are now posted.

 Ottawa Centre Halloween Cookery Class and Dinner - October 31, 2013

Hosted at the PC Cooking School in the Gloucester Loblaws Community Room

 June 2013

OTTAWA ROSE KEIRA KILMARTIN SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN IRELAND’S ROSE OF TRALEE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL THIS AUGUST

 May 2013

A Success! On Sunday May 12th, the Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre hosted its first Fashion Show. Wtih this fundraiser, we sought to showcase the sophistication and style of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, while also promoting the Ottawa Centre with 2013 Applicants and members of the Ottawa Irish Community as models. A post-runway reception followed the show in addition to a silent auction. Thank you to all who attended this event - we hope you were able to get a bit of inspiration for your own wardrobe as we come into the garden party and wedding season.

Models wore dresses from Melanie Lyne collections, hats and fascinators designed by Chapeaux de Madeleine, and footwear provided by Town Shoes. This event would not have been possible without the generous support and partnership from these businesses.

 April 2013

Thank you to all who attended the 2013 Ottawa Rose Selection Event. It was a sold-out success! Congratulations to our new Rose Keira Kilmartin. She will represent us well at the Rose of Tralee International Festival Regionals in Portlaoise, Co. Laois May 29th to June 2nd.

Closer to home: stay tuned for updates on our May Fashion Show Fundraiser.

• See 2012 Ottawa Rose Avaleigh Eastman and the 2013 Ottawa Rose Applicants during the St. Patrick's Parade along Wellington - Look for the Rose of Tralee Float!

• Meet the Applicants at the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Céilí and Dinner hosted at Blessed Sacrament Church (only a handful of tickets left for sale).  Music by the Ottawa Céilí Band. 

• Listen in between 8:00-10:00am on CJLL 97.9 for The Gaelic Hour  where host Austin Comerton will interview all 9 applicants in the first hour.
  

• Don your green at noon and attend the St. Patrick's Day Luncheon at the Saint Brigid's Centre: Home of the National Irish Canadian Cultural Centre - Our Rose Applicants will be there in full force.

• Official 2013 Ottawa Rose Selection will take place between 3:30 and 5:30pm. Tickets have sold out - but news will be posted by the Ottawa Centre on facebook, twitter and our website so stay tuned!
  

Thank you to all our partners and sponsors who have made the selection weekend possible:

March 2013

With the 2013 Ottawa Rose Selection weekend just around the corner, keep an eye out for new announcements this week. 

March 10th: Our Cookery Class and Kitchen Party  fundraiser was a success with a highly entertaining chef teaching us the tricks of the trade to prepare a traditional Irish meal. Thank you to Loblaws in the Gloucester Centre for your wonderful hospitality, and to the Wine Rack for your support and expertise. To all the musicians, dancers and poets who attended - your talents made it a true kitchen party!

March 12th: Announcement of the 2013 Selection Panel

March 14th: Announcement of 2013 Ottawa Rose Selection Weekend Activities

March 15th-17th: 2013 Rose applicants participating in numerous activities as part of the Ottawa Irish Festival - Stay tuned to find out where you may find the Rose applicants throughout the weekend!

February 2013

2012 Ottawa Rose Avaleigh Eastman was interviewed on CTV Morning Live February 11th. Take a look at Avaleigh's interview as she talks about her "Rose experience" and what is in store for the 2013 Ottawa Selection: