HEADLINES

Come to the Island, A Warm Welcome Awaits You

The Island of Skye, situated on the west coast of mainland Scotland, is the largest and best known of the Inner Hebrides. Sometimes referred to in Gaelic...more

Uisge Baugh: Ancient Celts Knew What They Were Talking About

VANCOUVER - I've always admired connoisseurs of Scotch whisky as they deftly swirl the amber whisky in a glass, while deeply breathing of the bouquet and...more

Your Help is Needed to Support the St. Vincent de Paul Society

VANCOUVER - On December 4, the St. Vincent de Paul Society held its annual Christmas dinner for all its volunteers. This year the dinner was held at the...more

Speciality British Products Available in the Heights Again

BURNABY - The Heights Meat and Deli has been carrying British groceries, meats and specialty U.K. products for the past four months. Since the closure of Ye...more

SLÁINTE-To Your Good Health with Maureen B. Keane, MS CN

Eating Healthy Keeps Your Brain Young and Healthy

Last month we talked about the Nun Study and what researchers have learned from almost 20 years of working with the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Their...more

The Irish Times Pub: Authentic and First Class Atmosphere With Live Entertainment Every Night

VICTORIA - Matt MacNeil has been building, designing and managing Irish pubs for the past 25 years and his properties are always up-scale, authentic and first...more

The Excitement of Dublin City is Still Imprinted in my Brain

They say competition is the life of trade and nowhere is this more true than between Ryanair and Aer Lingus. Travelling to Ireland from anywhere in Europe...more

A British Food Experience...in English Bay

VANCOUVER - When a restaurant has the name Marmalade, sure you might think of toast and marmalade, but you also think of English specialty cuisine such as...more

Welsh Opera Star to Entertain Troops in Iraq

Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins continues to enjoy phenomenal success in the world of classical and popular music. This Christmas she will sing for British...more

Trade Mission Seeks to Partner Relations in Pacific Northwest

VANCOUVER - The Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently paid a visit to the Pacific Northwest...more

The Celtic Connection: Cherishing the Memory of our Beloved Ancestors

OTTAWA - Canada is such a huge country that it is difficult to keep abreast of all that is important in matters pertaining to its Celtic connections in all corners of...more

Mark Your Calendar Now for Next Annual Golf Tournament

VANCOUVER - The second annual golf tournament for The Celtic Connection took place on September 30, at the Green Acres Golf Course in Richmond. This was...more

The Nun Study: A Unique Research Project on Aging and Alzheimers

Many are not aware that the nuns who taught us so many years ago may still be helping us today in their old age and may continue helping us even after their deaths...more

The Red Lion Bar and Grill: A Very Upscale Pub

The Red Lion Bar and Grill is unique in West Vancouver, it's a one-of-a-kind Celtic establishment. At the opening of the Red Lion two years ago, owner...more

St. Vincent de Paul Society Opens Second Vancouver Store

VANCOUVER - The St. Vincent de Paul Society in Vancouver established its first store at Twelfth and Main in 1994. On October 15, they will open their doors to the needy...more

The "Gaelcerth of Halloween"
a Ceremony That Has Survived Since the Time of the Druids.

John Hugh Roberts was raised in Wales and was proud to be Welsh. He immigrated to Canada and raised a family first in Toronto in the 1850s and then...more

Welsh Society Member Honoured at National Eisteddfod

VANCOUVER - Long-time Vancouver Welsh Society member John Pritchard has been accorded the signal honour of leading the Overseas Welsh contingent...more

Welsh Weekend Will Benefit Cambrian Hall Roof Fund

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Welsh Society is planning a number of events for its upcoming Welsh Weekend to be held November 4-6...more

Celebrating a Second Anniversary With the Celtic Treasure Chest

VANCOUVER - Steve and Lil McVittie, owners of the Celtic Treasure Chest on Dunbar Street celebrated their second year in business on August 4. I dropped in...more

Cultural Exchange Between Chinese &Celts at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens

VANCOUVER - For the past five years the Chinatown Arts and Cultural Festival has presented a multi-cultural festival at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Park Courtyard...more

Flight of the Earls: The Crossroads of Irish History

RATHMULLEN, County Donegal - The event known as the Flight of the Earls took place at Rathmullan in the year 1607. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I...more

Moray, Nairn & Banff Association Celebrating 75 Years: 1930-2005

VANCOUVER - The Moray, Nairn & Banff Association of British Columbia was founded 75 years ago by Scots from these three counties in the North of Scotland...more

"I Am Determined Not to be Negative, but Many Say We've Heard it All Before"

SEATTLE - In early August, Trevor Lunn, the Deputy Mayor of Lisburn, Northern Ireland, who is a member of the Alliance Party made a visit to Seattle along with the...more

JOHN HUGH ROBERTS: The Last Recorder of the Druids

VANCOUVER - In 1978 I came into a collection of writings on yellowed brittle parchment paper - over 140 manuscript pages written by John Hugh Roberts which was...more

Rogers School of Irish Dance: "A Celebration of Irish Heritage"

VANCOUVER - Caroline Rogers established the Rogers School of Irish Dance in New Westminster in 2004. She later opened a second school in Ladner where...more

More Than 5,000 Pipers at World Piping Championships

GLASGOW - More than 5,000 pipers and drummers descended on Glasgow for the International Piping Festival held from August 8-14. The festival showcases...more

ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL:
No Point in Prayer Life if You Don't Put it Into Action or Service

VANCOUVER - As you enter St. Patrick's Regional Secondary School on East 11th Avenue, the first thing that you notice is the plaque with a big shamrock...more

Liverpool Recognizes Welsh Cultural Heritage

Liverpool has sometimes been called the capital of North Wales. Thousands of Welsh migrants settled in the city over the years, eventually forming a substantial...more

Ceili Irish Music and Dance Camp: One of the Highlights at Harrison

Before there was Vancouver there was Harrison Hot Springs. The world-famous Harrison Hot Springs also known as "the healing waters of Harrison" was actually...more

The Flying Lunch Doctor Offers A More Relaxed Pace

VANCOUVER - It's a leisurely drive from Vancouver out to the Pitt Meadows Airport. The airport is right out in the country and a slower pace of life is enjoyed here...more

Good Food, Good Music and Good Pints Make Angus McToogle's Truly Scottish

There are numerous British and Irish pubs around but seldom do you hear of a Scottish pub. Angus McToogle's in Invermere, British Columbia is one of those rare...more

After Three Years of Bureaucracy Penny Lane Spirits is Now Open

VANCOUVER - Brian Hunter, the proprietor of the popular Penny Lane Neighbourhood Pub at 41st and Main Street, recently opened Penny Lane Spirits - a full service...more

President Mary McAleese:
"The Emigrants of Ireland are a Most Remarkable People"

VANCOUVER - It was an historic event for the local Irish community when Mary McAleese, the President of Ireland, arrived in town on May 26. This was...more

IRISH WOMEN'S NETWORK
President Mary McAleese: "Ireland Now Soaring on Both Wings"

VANCOUVER - When Mary Hatch founded of the Irish Women's Network (IWN) in March 1998, she was inspired by a vision presented by the former President...more

McAleese Builds Bridges Across Atlantic

VANCOUVER - As part of a wider U.S. and Canadian trip, the Irish President Mary McAleese attended a reception in Vancouver at the downtown Sheraton...more

Travel Diary by Dave Abbott: Hospitality Gene Imbedded in Irish DNA

"D'yeh see that bridge back there and the turn right after it?" I nodded. "Well don't take that one," he said, as I asked directions for Belfast. His face, a picture of...more

Irish Hors D'Oeuvres Fit for a President

VANCOUVER - When Robert Goodrick, owner of the British Butcher Shoppe, received a call from the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver giving him 24 hours notice...more

A Great Meeting Place in Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood

VANCOUVER - The Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood Restaurant and Pub has been a work in progress ever since Kerry Williams and his partners took over...more

Celtic Pilgrimage: Walking the Path of the Ancestors

Pilgrimage is a growing trend, especially in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England. Every year thousands of people, from the totally sceptical to people with...more

The Cheshire Cheese Inn:
A Happy Environment for Both Staff & Customers

VANCOUVER - The Cheshire Cheese Inn has been established since 1979 (26 years), and is located at 4585 Dunbar Street (at 30th Avenue) in the Dunbar area...more

John and Jackie Knill: "There Isn’t a Day Goes By I Don’t Think About Them"

VANCOUVER - The shock and pain of loss is still fresh just behind the eyes of John Lynch as he talks about the tsunami that struck South East Asia on...more

JOHN HUGH ROBERTS: Mystical Writings from a Cymric Soul

Early Vancouver was home to many interesting characters; one of these was a Welsh mystique and his family. John Hugh Roberts immigrated to Canada...more

Dylan Thomas Circle Members Loved the Words

VANCOUVER - Members of the Dylan Thomas Circle of Vancouver spent an enjoyable evening on May 13 at the Red Dragon, Cambrian Hall, sharing in a...more

Visit of President McAleese to Seattle

SAN FRANCISCO - First of all, thank you for allowing me space to express my heartfelt thanks to the Irish community of the Pacific Northwest and...more

Aran Spelt Bakery Launches New Hours and New Cookbook

VANCOUVER - Janet Feirin owner of Aran Spelt Bakery on Venables Street in Vancouver, would sooner be baking and writing recipes for her cookbooks...more

'A Shopping Experience' at A Bit of Britain

VANCOUVER - A Bit of Britain - a British Foods and Import store in Maple Ridge - opened its doors for business on St. Patrick's Day and has been a going...more

Canada Post and Ireland's An Post Team Up to Deliver New Stamps

On April 22, Canada Post celebrated Earth Day by jointly issuing a pair of postage stamps with Ireland's post office An Post. The stamps are a showcase of the...more

Once People Come Into the Elephant and Castle...They Always Come Back

RICHMOND - The Elephant and Castle Pub is one of Richmond's hidden treasures. When you're driving across the Arthur Lang Bridge from Vancouver...more

President Mary McAlesse: Outstanding and Unique Service to the Irish People

VANCOUVER - Although not officially confirmed at press time, it is expected that the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, will visit the west coast of Canada...more

Robinson Stresses Corporate World’s Humanitarian Role at Awards Ceremony

VANCOUVER - Former Irish President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson was awarded the Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue on...more

Scotland and Ireland Featured at Monterey Festival

MONTEREY, CA - The Scottish Society of the Monterey Peninsula has announced that the 38th Annual Monterey Scottish Games and Celtic Festival will be held...more

In Fort McMurray, Alberta, Everything is Big...Even the Mosquitos

Fort McMurray in Alberta has the energy and the oil. This vast region of northeast Alberta is a land of rich resources and if you really want to work and make money...more

Scottish Palace Will Feature a Royal Visit This Summer

PERTH - The ancient crowning glory of Scottish kings will hold a series of historic re-enactments this summer, based on characters from its past. Scone Palace...more

Sister Marie Bertrand: An Indomitable Spirt and Inspiration to Many

Sister Marie Bertrand passed away peacefully on April 24 in the 51st year of her religious life as a Sister of Saint Joseph in Pembroke, Ontario. In the early...more

The Smithsonian Associates Celebrates Ireland and Wales With "Celtic Connection" Series

WASHINGTON, DC - The Smithsonian Associates pays tribute to the traditions and unique characteristics of Ireland and Wales in a two-month program series...more

Welsh Nationalist Leader Gwynfor Evans Dies

Gwynfor Evans, the man regarded as the heart and soul of Welsh nationalism, died on April 23 at the age of 92. He will be remembered as one of the most influential...more

Live Irish Entertainment Every Friday Night at The Fox and Fiddle

SURREY - The Fox and Fiddle Restaurant and Pub is located in the Hampton Inn on the Langley Bypass in Surrey and it's a hopping place. The woman responsible...more

Mary Robinson: One of World's Leading Advocates on Human Rights

VANCOUVER - Former President of Ireland (1990-1997) and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997- 2002) Mary Robinson was presented with the Simon...more

Padraig, Patrick and Paddy Wagons

While celebrating St. Patrick's Day recently, I got to thinking once again about the term "paddy wagon." The first time I heard this term was in Canada. It is not a term I had ever...more

High Standards of Workmanship with Shamrock Renovations

VANCOUVER – Dublin-born Brian and Deirdre O'Ruairc are the proud owners of Shamrock Renovations and Construction Ltd. and they have been building homes...more

THE COALPITS OF WALES: A Tribute to My Family's Heritage

Kitted out in a helmet, cap lamp, battery pack and a miner's belt, I enter the pit-cage and descend 90 meters to a world of shafts, coal faces and underground roadways...more

Achill Island: Wildly Rugged and Spectacularly Beautiful

Achill Island in County Mayo is a wildly rugged and spectacularly beautiful island. Located in the west of Ireland, it is lashed by the ocean, carved by the wind and swept...more

Authentic Irish Food at Black Pudding Imported British Groceries

LANGLEY - Would you like to sample some real Irish food to get into the spirit of St. Patrick's? Then head out to Langley on March 12 to Black Pudding Imported British...more

Opening Doors to do Business in Ireland

Cameron Millikin, is the Honourary Consul General, Government of Ireland in Alberta, with responsibilities for Trade and Politics. I recently met with Millikin at Ceili's...more

ProCoat Coatings: Serving the Oil and Gas Industry Globally

Early one frosty Alberta morning, I visited ProCoat Coatings in Calgary. The company specializes in industrial painting and sandblasting and like many other...more

Irish Culture Flourishes in Calgary Thanks to Volunteers at ICS

Rose McKiernan is the Cultural Director of the Irish Cultural Society Calgary (ICS) and we met at the well-known James Joyce Traditional Irish Pub on Stephen Avenue in Calgary...more

A Small Piece of Unicorn Pub History Restored to Prominence

On my recent trip to Alberta I dropped into Calgary's first and oldest Irish Pub - the Unicorn Pub on Eight Avenue - which was founded by the legendary Irish Rovers. The pub...more

Edmonton Irish Club "A Safe Place to Call Home"

On my recent whirlwind trip to Alberta, I met with three members of the executive of the Irish Sports and Social Club of Edmonton. Newly elected president Sean Gay, social...more

SLÁINTE-To Your Good Health with Maureen B. Keane, MS CN

Dealing With That Time Of Year Again!

It is the time of the year when so many Americans and Canadians overindulge in that most fake-Irish celebration - drinking green beer. Yes, readers, St. Patrick's Day is here...more

Make Note of Annual Hemochromatosis Week
Your Life May Depend on It!

All Celtic readers should make note that May 25 to 31 is the annual National Hemochromatosis Awareness Week promoted by the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society...more

Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir Celebrates Silver Jubilee

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Welsh Men's (VWMC) choir presented a Silver Jubilee Concert to an overflow audience at St. Patrick's Church on Main Street on February 26...more

Newport Mayor Frank Chambers:
"Irish Wealth Has Created New Challenges"

Newport, County Mayo situated in the west of Ireland is a pleasant seaside resort, nestled on the shores of Clew Bay, with an attractive and unspoiled coastline. It has...more

SLÁINTE-To Your Good Health with Maureen B. Keane, MS CN

Second Chance at New Year's Resolutions

About right now, many of you are willing to admit you have failed to keep your New Year's resolutions - again. Chances are you made the very same resolutions last year...more

Unique Cast Metal Signs Offered by B.C. Company

CHILLIWACK - Mayfair Traditional Old English Cast Metal Signs is a family owned and operated business based in Chilliwack (Yarrow), British Columbia. The company which...more

New Drug Could Revolutionize Chronic Pain Management

VANCOUVER - A new pain medication called Tetrodotoxin (Tectin TM), which comes from the pufferfish, is currently being tested and could revolutionize therapy. Originally...more

John Thomas James: Mayor of Aberystwyth, Wales

Aberystwyth is a small sea-side town on the west coast of Wales with a population of 14,000. Situated towards the centre of the crescent of Cardigan Bay, Aberystwyths harbour...more

December 2004 / January 2005 : TRAVEL

Little Rock Welcomes "Elvis" Home

At first glance, Little Rock, Arkansas - population 200,000, home to the Razorbacks, Paula Jones, Wal-Mart and the heavenly Clintons - seems little changed since a...more

My 800-Kilometre Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostelo

VANCOUVER - I remember when I first heard about the ancient pilgrimage walk to Santiago de Compostelo in Northern Spain and instantly put it on my wish list of travel plans...more

The Sacred Isle of Iona: A Beacon of Light to Pilgrims

The Sacred Isle of Iona in the outer Hebrides of Scotland is a beacon of light to pilgrims throughout the world. Each year thousands make the journey to visit the remote...more

Celtic Cross Offers Focus of Contemplation

MISSION, BC - Nestled between the small Chilqua Creek and the Cascade Mountains on the Hawkins-Pickle Road in the village of Dewdney, there is a sacred place which...more

Queen's University Belfast Offers a Different Perspective

Queen's University Belfast, the first university in the north of Ireland, was founded in 1845 by Queen Victoria, opened in 1849 and has a record of academic achievement which...more