Alberta: Another Name for Western Hospitality
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
The Province of Alberta is renown for its hospitality - so much so, that in St. Paul, Alberta (near Edmonton), there is a 39.3 foot diameter flying saucer landing pad to welcome any unidentified flying objects. That's what I call real hospitality! The province is bustling with energy, construction is booming and “help wanted” signs are everywhere.
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AFTER A FOOTBALL PRACTICE at the Calgary Irish Rugby pitch (L-R) Adrian Lagan, men’s manager of the Calgary Chieftains Gaelic football team; Kim Tulloch, president of the Calgary Chieftains Gaelic football team and Colin Baugh, men’s manager of the Edmonton Wolfe Tones Gaelic football team.
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There are several new Irish pubs and restaurants opening up in Calgary and Edmonton, and they’re all doing a thriving business. Some of the pubs are Irish in name only and not really connected to the community, whereas other Irish pubs support the community that supports them.
I dropped round to the Calgary Irish Rugby Club where the Calgary Chieftains were having a Gaelic football practice and had an opportunity to talk with some of the captains at half-time, and spoke to them about plans for their upcoming season.
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KEN LOVETT is the manager of Peanuts Sports Pub in Calgary, the headquarters of the Celtic Supporters Club.
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PICTURED AT PEANUTS SPORTS BAR are the executive of the Calgary Celtic Supporters Club, (L-R) Joe Christie, treasurer; Mary Marshall, secretary; Neil Welsh, president; and John McKenna, past-president.
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At the Irish Sports and Social Society Edmonton (L-R) Malcolm Newman, Bryan Bundred, Honor Byrne, Lisa Byrne and Christy Whelehan.
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Peanuts Sports Pub in the Carriage House Inn is headquarters to the Calgary Celtic Supporters Club where all the Celtic games are brought in live via satellite. I attended an early Sunday morning game to see Celtic and Hibernia play and spoke with some of the members about the club and their activities throughout the year.
The Canmore Highland Games will be celebrating their sixteenth anniversary this year. I took a quick trip to Canmore and dropped in to see the Don Garron, the man who started the games.
Don told me that after surveying the scenic area surrounded by majestic mountains, he decided this was a perfect setting for the Highland Games. Each September, the thousands of people who descend on Canmore, have proved him right.
Every time I visit Alberta, I’m always amazed at the growth of Penny Lane Entertainment Agency. They are the umbrella company for 14 or 15 businesses. President Paul Vickers, and vice-president Mike Joseph, continue to expand their holdings
Many of our readers will be familiar with their Ceili’s Irish Pubs in both Edmonton and Calgary. Just recently they opened up a Belgian Brasserie in Calgary, (where I enjoyed a very tasty lunch). And their newest acquisition is a fishing lodge, Harrison Cove Lodge on Vancouver Island.
There’s always a friendly welcome at Ceili’s Irish Pub. I stopped in to the original Ceili’s on Eighth Avenue in Calgary where manager Shane Seaman was busy with the never-ending rush – no wonder he never puts on a pound!
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WALTER LEABODY, Jim Fitzpatrick and Steve Connelly at the Irish Sports and Social Society Edmonton.
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TOM MORRIS, Honor Byrne, Bryan Bundred and Seamus Donaghy, all past-presidents of the Irish Sports and Social Society Edmonton.
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At the Irish Sports and Social Society Edmonton (L-R) Malcolm Newman, Bryan Bundred, Honor Byrne, Lisa Byrne and Christy Whelehan.
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AT THE IRISH SPORTS AND SOCIAL SOCIETY Edmonton, (standing) Ken McManus, treasurer; (seated) Susan and Bernie Devereux (Liverpool).
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The Ship & Anchor Pub was another stop on my itinerary. This English-style pub brings in all the English Premiere League games via satellite.
A relative newcomer on the scene is the Jamesons Irish Pub located in the North East, near the Sunridge Mall. A very cosy establishment with hardwood floors and rich wood furnishings.
Then, it was time to head north on the Red Arrow bus to Edmonton. My first stop was – where else – Ceili’s Irish Pub. Managing partner, Bill McBain, took time out of his busy schedule to fill me in on what was happening at his location.
While in Edmonton, I spoke with Robert Murphy, sports director for the Edmonton Irish Sports and Social Club. I also spent a very enjoyable evening at the Edmonton Irish Sports and Social Club talking to old friends and meeting new friends. The club is a real credit to the Edmonton Irish community.
Another destination I dropped in to visit was O’Connor’s Irish Pub, which is one of the newer traditional Irish pubs in town.
Edmonton, known as the “City of Champions” is absolutely estatic about the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Team. They had just defeated the Detroit Red Wings on their first round of the playoffs. People were talking about the dynasty years of the Gretzky era when the Oilers won so many Stanley Cups and brought great glory to the city.
Edmonton is also buzzing about the Waterford Crystal 2006 World Handball Championships, which will be held the Alberta capital city this August 4 to 13. The event is expected to attract over 1,000 participants in both male and female categories and generate over $2.2 million into the local economy.
Handball attracts all age groups from 11 to 80 years old and is one of Ireland’s national sports. They are also part of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
I spoke briefly with Wexford-born, Pat Brennan, who is one of the organizers in Edmonton. He is a busy man, organizing billeting in homes for the many visitors that are expected from Ireland.
Merv Bell, a well-known entertainer in Edmonton, is also helping and his band will be entertaining along with his daughters, who are also world-class Irish dancers with the Mattierin School of Irish Dance.
No trip to Edmonton is complete without a visit to the world famous West Edmonton Mall, with its regulation size ice rink, wave pool, dolphin show, golfing and of course, there’s 800 stores to shop in!
I dropped in to the Shops of Ireland store on the second level of the mall near The Bay. I met up with owner Sheilagh Ireland, and we had a great old chat. The shop looks lovely, with beautiful Irish merchandise and souvenirs. Sheilagh said the Waterford Crystal is in great demand.
My last stop in the mall was to the Bourbon Street area, where I dropped in the Sherlock Holmes Pub. Galway-born, Pat Devaney is the proprietor. He also owns several other locations now and, like many other establishments, he is looking for help.
Before I knew it, it was time to get back on speedy Westjet and head back over the Rockies to Vancouver.
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[N.B:. Special thanks to Debbie Henderson and Pat McCay who arranged transportation for me in Calgary. Thanks to Shane Seaman, Bill McBain and all the friendly staff at Ceili’s, Calgary and Edmonton. Also to Harry at Jamesons, Calgary for his hospitality. Thanks to Marilyn and Oliver Grealish, who helped with transportation in Edmonton. And many thanks also Ken McManus, Seamus Donaghy, Christy Whelehan and everyone at the Irish Sports and Social Society Edmonton Club for helping to make my visit so enjoyable. Looking forward to my next visit to Alberta.]
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