Rose Of Tralee

I was home for the Rose of Tralee festival in August for the first time in two years. Below is a small collection of my photos from The Parades, Meeting the Roses, The Fashion Show, Birds Bazaar and Sharon Shannon. The festival takes place every August in Tralee, Co. Kerry. Enjoy!

Rose Of Tralee, Ottawa Selections

Above: Keira Kilmartin was selected to be the Ottawa Rose 2013 and will represent Ottawa this summer in Ireland.

The Rose Of Tralee, Ottawa selections took place on Paddys Day weekend. I traveled to Ottawa to photograph the girls and be part of their daily activities. We started the day with an early 8am portrait shoot, followed by a delicious buffet breakfast sponsored by Peter Rock. The girls then took part in the Ottawa Paddy's day parade, which was even colder than the Montreal Parade the very next day.

After the parade, we took photos on the Corktown Bridge, named after Irish workers who died by the hundreds as they dug out the Rideau waterway in the early 1800s. The bridge has been recently covered in "lovers locks" like the bridge in Paris. The tradition wherein lovers fasten a padlock to a bridge or other permanent structure and then dispose of the key, representing an everlasting commitment.

The girls then headed to the Ottawa food bank and volunteered a few hours to help box up food that will be sent out to families in need.

The Selections took place the next day at the Irish Ambassadors house where Keira Kilmartin was crowned this years Ottawa Rose. Congratulations Keira and best of luck in Ireland.

Meet the Roses:

Kaley Duff

Trish Mahoney

Delaney Holley

Jennifer Trainor

Nadia Barry

Nora Villarreal

Jamie Keeley

Shayla Kelly

©Alison Slattery. All Rights Reserved.

Wine and Cheese at Irish Ambassadors in Ottawa

Tuesday March 20th, I was invited to attend the Irish Ambassadors residence in Ottawa for a wine and cheese reception, a post St Patrick's day party. There was a room full of cheese, from Ireland and Canada, baguettes and cold cuts. There was a woman playing the harp in the most beautiful way. The Guinness was flowing and the wine bottles pouring. Everyone was having a great time. I met ambassadors from all countries and some fellow Irish folk. It was great to see the roses again as well as the lovely Laura Hay and Sarah Thorenton. Thanks so much to Sarah for making this happen and to the Irish Ambassador for giving me such a wonderful opportunity.













© Alison Slattery. All Rights Reserved.

Rose of Tralee

Rose of Tralee: This is an international festival which is celebrated among Irish communities all over the world. The festival is held every August in the wonderful town of Tralee, (my hometown). This festival brings a huge crowd of tourists to the town every year, its good for business and good fun. Each contestant is called a Rose and given a sash with which country/place she is representing. This March I went to Ottawa to shoot their selection process. I met 6 fantastic girls all hoping to be crowned the next Ottawa Rose. I also met with the Ottawa Roses from 2009, 2010 and 2011, (all fabulous girls). The girls had a hectic weekend, early mornings to late nights but nothing to the extent of what they will experience in Ireland. They took part in the St Paddys Parade Ottawa, served tea to the elderly at St Pats, had a pancake breakfast at St Bridgets, got interviewed by judges, visited CHIN FM radio station and talked with the host Austin Comerton for 2 hrs. The selections were held at the Irish Ambassadors Residence in which Avaleigh was crowned Ottawa Rose 2012. I would like to wish Avaleigh Eastman the best of luck for her regional finals in Portlaoise on May 30th.

Below: Avaleigh Eastman


Below: Kaley Duff

Below: Ottawa Rose 2011 Kate Scott

Below: Níamh Lawlor

Below: Tess McManus

Below: Annie Duchesne


St Paddys Day Ottawa





Below: CHIN FM, The Gaelic Hour









Below: Kait Zufelt



Below: The Roses with the Irish Ambassador Mr. Ray Bassett



© Alison Slattery. All Rights Reserved.