The Celtic Spirit is Alive and Well
and Living in White Rock
By GEAROID O'CAOIMH
President, Irish Club of White Rock
WHITE ROCK, B.C. - For many years White Rock has been home to a large number of Irish from which eventually emerged a core group. They were jokingly referred to as the "White Rock Irish Mafia" and from time-to-time they would host a typical Irish party in their various homes.
Father James Hughes, Assistant Pastor at Good Shepherd church in White Rock heard about the group and saw an opportunity to celebrate his "Irishness."
In late 1988, with the full support of Pastor Father Stanley Galvin, Fr. Hughes put together a committee to plan the first St. Patrick's dance in March 1999.The dance attracted a wonderful turnout, and was a great success. Fr. Galvin even made his own green beer for the event.
The St. Patrick's event continued at Star of the Sea Hall for a couple of years during which time the late Kevin McFadden formed Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. On the committee they were most of the core Irish group.
It gradually become evident that the huge annual party at Star of the Sea had become too cumbersome for the small group to run and it was at this time that Comhaltas was moved to the Elks' club by Kevin who was at that time president of the Elks.
The relationship subsequently formed with the Elks has been a major success. We unfortunately lost Kevin to cancer a couple of years ago. With his death, interest in Comhaltas began to wane (he was among many other things a great teacher of Irish), and it morphed into the Irish Club of White Rock.
The first President was Brendan Hamill who brought a boundless energy to the position. With the ardent support of senior member Gerry Kelly, Sinead O'Ruairc and the Irish Sporting and Social Club, they hosted the first Gaelic Games tournament in White Rock.
This was a momentous event and we were joined enthusiastically by the Elks in the planning and implementation of the event. We again hosted "the Games" for a second year and presented the winners of the women's final with a handsome trophy, aptly named The Kevin McFadden Cup.
Brendan Hamill subsequently resigned and was replaced for close to a year by Aideen Towson, after which the current president Gerry O'Keefe was elected.
The club continues to function and sponsors sing songs (ceol agus craic) every second Wednesday during the winter months. Entertainment is provided by The Emerald Green Band, very capably led by Harry Murtagh who goes to great lengths to ensure the seniors participate and enjoy themselves.
The Irish Club of White Rock also sponsors a dance on the last Friday of each month with various musicians including Harry and his group. There are Irish set dancing classes every Friday evening along with Happy Hour from 4 to 6 PM which brings out a great gathering of the clan.
There is tremendous support among the Irish community in Surrey/White Rock and the main thrust is to support Irish culture and keep the Celtic spirit alive and well. For more information about the club, call (604) 535-4822, or e-mail at okg@shaw.ca.
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