Sarah Griffin
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.
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 emigrate 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 my parents and 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!
2016 Sponsors and Partners
Les Suites Hotel Ottawa Aer Lingus Surgenor Ottawa Embassy of Ireland - Canada
The Gaelic Hour St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Pub
Murphy Ford Sales Ltd., Pembroke Andre R Gagne Photography The Scottish and Irish Store
Irish Women’s Network of Ontario EPM Sue Fay Healy School of Irish Dance The Conways
Trillium Academy of Irish Dance John’s Repair Service Catrysse Veterinary Services Patty’s Pub
Bradley Kelly Construction Ltd. The O’Briens Irish Society of the National Capital Region