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:
