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GAELTALK: Scottish Gaelic News By MAUREEN LYON

December 1 - Ceilidh at the Scottish Cultural Centre located at 8886 Hudson Street, featuring the Vancouver Gaelic Choir; Wilma Paton....more

Cornish Pirates, Privateers and pasties Travel Diary by Dave Abbott

Read a little Jane Austin, Blake or modern-day heroes like Harry Potter and James Herriot and the countryside forms an image in your mind....more

Celtic Mythology and the Turn of Samhain By JAMES ACKEN

Mist and rain shrouded Burnaby Mountain for most of October, and only the full moon cleared it away in preparation for the first frost...more

Brian Moore Short Story Awards Now Open to All Writers of Irish Descent

BELFAST - For the first time ever, the Brian Moore Short Story Awards are open to anyone of Irish descent. ...more

Drumkeeran House: A Celtic Country House Like No Other

Drumkeeran House, situated in the beautiful Pemberton Valley overlooking Ivey Lake, offers a hundred thousand welcomes to visitors...more

Warmth and Hospitality on Offer at Father Murphy's Irish Pub

On my recent visit to Calgary, I paid a visit to Father Murphy's Irish Pub, the newest Irish establishment in the city. ...more

A Watershed in the Relationship Between Scotland and Her Diaspora

When the Scottish parliament reconvened in 1999 after a 300 year adjournment, it wasn't just home-based Scots who felt a sense of excitement and anticipation...more

SLÁINTE - TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH! Are Your Friends Making You Fat?

Bless me, father, for I have sinned. I have gained 15 pounds - most of it fat...more

New and Exciting Developments on Proposed New Irish Cultural Centre

"We need the support of the community now to ensure the approval of the building permits."...more

JIM YAWORSKI: Helping to Reach Across a Sectarian Divide Through Charity

Jim Yaworski is the Calgary-based owner of the Belfast Giants hockey team...more

An Extraordinary Story of Survival in the Darkest Days of WW II

ALMOST A LIFETIME By John McMahon - Every Remembrance Day at 9:20 PM, John McMahon will find a quiet spot in his garden on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia...more

O'Connor's Irish Pub: A Crossroads of French and Irish

O'Connor's Irish Pub is one of Edmonton's newer Irish establishment, but the building itself has quite a history. It has the unique distinction of being the oldest free standing pub in Edmonton...more

The Penny Lane Pub: A Delicious Lunch in a Friendly Atmosphere

VANCOUVER - After the distribution of each issue of The Celtic Connection, Colleen and myself will customarily stop by one of our local Celtic establishments...more

CELTIC RECIPES Irish Braised Shin of Beef with Champ By BENEDICT KIELY

I love the flavour of this dish and it's really satisfying in the colder months. The shin of beef is from the lower part of the leg and often named shank or osso bucco cut....more

Young B.C. Piper Brings Home Top Prize

VANCOUVER - Alastair Lee is a 15-year-old Coquitlam piper with the Robert Malcolm Memorial Grade 3 Pipe Band.....more

'The Celtic Lion is Now Awake' Says Scottish Minister By MAURA McCAY

VANCOUVER - There was a warm welcome at the Pan Pacific Hotel on October 18 for the first government minister from the new Scottish Executive in Edinburgh to visit Western Canada.....more

Sheela-Na-Gigs: 'The One That Got Away' By SHARON GREER

The mystery of the function and purpose of Sheela-Na-Gigs remains an enigma even today.....more

High Quality Exclusive Stock Remains Under New Ownership at Shops of Ireland

On a recent visit to Edmonton, I stopped in to visit the Shops of Ireland store located in the world-famous West Edmonton Mall.....more

Young Canadian Airmen Remembered on a Welsh Mountainside

On November 11 we will again honour the memories of the young men and women who gave their lives for their country on battlefields far from home.....more

Ireland Monument Project Presentation Evening

The Ireland Monument committee has organized a presentation evening to outline their proposal for the monument planned for John Hendry Park at Trout Lake in Vancouver....more

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A British Invasion in White Rock

SURREY - On September 8, the White Rock Business Improvement Association (BIA), promoted for the first time a British Invasion celebration in the city....more

2007 Peter O'Brien Visiting Scholar at Centre for Canadian Irish Studies

MONTREAL - Distinguished scholar Dr. Clare Carroll of Queens College, CUNY, will be the 2007 Peter O'Brien Visiting Scholar in Canadian Irish Studies...more

'This is what Great St. Pat's Celebrations Are All About'

SURREY - Halfway to St. Patrick's day celebrations have become very popular, particularly at local Irish pubs and restaurants...more

Flight (?) of the Earls

In 1607, a seismic event shook Ireland with the departure of Hugh O'Neill and Rory O'Donnell for Spain....more

The Story That Altered the Course of Irish History

A leading authority on the period of the Flight of the Earls and the Plantation of Ulster, has just released a new illustrated book on the Flight of the Earls....more

Great Hospitality Always on the Menu at Foggy Dew

COQUITLAM - You can always be assured of good food and service at the Foggy Dew. That's what I had in mind as I stopped into the Foggy Dew Irish Pub....more

Edinburgh and Vancouver from the Top of Arthur's Seat

There are several different ways of ascending Arthur's Seat, the extinct volcano that forms the backdrop to Edinburgh....more

Sláinte - To Your Good Health! Galway, Oysters and Salmon

Sláinte is writing this article in Ireland at the Galway Oyster Festival which she is attending along with Seattle's very own Lord Mayor, Greg Nickels....more

New Culloden Visitor Center Nears Completion

The Culloden Visitor Centre is on schedule for a winter 2007/ 08 opening, thanks, in part, to hundreds of Canadian and Americans with whom the project has obviously struck a chord....more

Fiona Lee: Worthy of a Hero's Reception

COQUITLAM- Canadians can be very low key when it comes to giving credit or recognition,....more

GAELTALK: Scottish Gaelic News

By MAUREEN LYON - Scottish Gaelic events for the fall are listed below....more

Famous Welsh Conductor to Perform at Centenary Events

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Welsh Society's Centenary Celebrations, November 1-4, will feature Eifion Thomas....more

Busy Fall for Puget Sound Welsh

The Puget Sound Welsh Association (PSWA) has a number of activities planned for this fall...more

The Wolfe and Hound: Always a Popular Spot Now Even More to Offer

VANCOUVER - Since new proprietor Jennifer (Jen) Gallacher took over at the Wolf and Hound she has been busy making changes...more

CELTIC RECIPES Dublin Coddle and Blueberry Bread Pudding

For me Dublin coddle is a very satisfying and comforting meal...more

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Ste-Agathe Irish Community Connects With their Celtic Roots

STE-AGATHE - In the year 2000 a group of Irish descendants in Ste-Agathe, Quebec built a Celtic cross to commemorate the journey of their ancestors ...more

Celtic Times: 'Great Atmosphere, Friendly Service and Great Food'

SURREY - Celtic Times is a new Irish pub and restaurant which has opened recently in Surrey....more

An Impressive Start for SNP During the First Hundred Days

GLASGOW - In the first column I submitted to The Celtic Connection after returning to Scotland, I wrote that even the Scottish weather had changed in my years away....more

The Truth Behind O'Hea's Victoria Cross

Did you ever read an item that itches in the corner of your mind? Did it intrigue you so that you just had to know the truth behind it? Meet a 30-year intriguee! ....more

CELTIC RECIPES: Boxty and Gooseberry Crumble - By BENEDICT KIELY

Boxty in Gaelic is Bacstai; a potato pancake traditionally from the Connacht area. This dish is cooked on a griddle pan over a fireplace. Boxty is eaten around New Year's and also Halloween as it is a festive, labour intensive dish. ....more

Tom Quinlan: Living His 'Tipperary Dream'

SEATTLE - Irish-born Tom Quinlan is a man living his life-long dream and loving every minute of it. Tom lives in Gig Harbour, Washington....more

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Celebrating the Unique Culture of Canada's Maritime Provinces

VANCOUVER - Joe's Atlantic Grill which recently opened its doors in Port Moody is an East Coast establishment, featuring authentic Maritime food prepared in their own kitchen. ...more

Living Celtic Spiritual Tradition The Path of An Céile Dé

SEATTLE - Fionn Tulach (Fiona Davidson) will offer a workshop on September 15, 16 and 19.about the living spiritual tradition of the Céile Dé entitled "Uniting Heaven and Earth: Celtic Harp, Sacred Song and Gaelic Myth...more

CLARK FREIGHTWAYS: 'You Only Get to Celebrate 50 Years in Business Once'

VANCOUVER - Congratulations Clark Freightways on reaching the fantastic 50 year milestone in your business!...more

Foggy Dew Richmond: Living Up to a Reputation of Excellence

RICHMOND - After the distribution of the June issue of The Celtic Connection, Colleen and I dropped in for lunch at the popular Foggy Dew Irish Pub in Richmond. ...more

A Global Gathering of Gallagher Clan

By NIAMH GALLAGHER LETTERKENNY, Co. Donegal - Calling all Gallaghers and those with Gallagher in their family trees....more

From One Extreme to Another - The MacLeods of Raasay and Tofino

By HARRY McGRATH GLASGOW - The journey from Glasgow to the Hebridean island of Raasay feels epic.....more

New Irish Ambassador in Ottawa

Ireland's Ambassador to Canada Declan Kelly was born in Dublin.....more

Annual Feis Hosted by Stewart School of Dance

BURNABY - The Stewart School of Irish Dance held their annual Feis at the Bonsor Recreation Centre in Burnaby on June 16 and 17.....more

Consortium Invests in Leading Irish American Newspaper

NEW YORK - The Irish Echo newspaper, which is published each week, was founded in 1928 in New York City....more

CELTIC RECIPES Classic Irish Stew and Baked Soda Bread

By BENEDICT KIELY Irish stew is a great classic dish that can be prepared in many different ways....more

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Revolutionary Breathing Method Helps Overcome Asthma Attacks

STOP ASTHMA NATURALLY: How to be Asthma Free Permanently!...more

B.C Highland Games: Helping to Keep the Flame of Scottish Culture Burning

By HARRY McGRATH - GLASGOW - Elements of the recent Scottish election reminded me of another election that took place 8,000 miles away and 121 years ago....more

A Fabulous Music Line Up at This Year's BC Highland Games

VANCOUVER - In addition to piping, drumming, caber tossing, Highland dancing, and a host of other activities, the 2007 BC Highland Games is proud to present a brilliant music line-up to entertain guests at their mainstage on June 30.....more

The Alexander Brothers: Two Music Legends Direct from Scotland

Vancouver is no stranger to the Alexander Brothers who have delighted audiences around the world for years as part of the White Heather Show.....more

A Celtic General Store Filled With Delicious Imports

By CATHOLINE BUTLER - VANCOUVER - On a recent visit to Langley, I dropped in to Black Pudding Imported British Groceries to say hello to owner/manager Linda Hazelton and her friendly staff....more

The Blarney Stone Celebrates 35 Years of Making Great Memories

By CATHOLINE BUTLER - The Blarney Stone's 35th Anniversary party turned out to be a great hooley!....more

A Delicious Lunch at Ceili's High Above the Crowds

By CATHOLINE BUTLER - VANCOUVER - As usual after The Celtic Connection has been distributed each month, Colleen and I will stop in for lunch at one of the restaurants or pubs on our distribution route.....more

Dublin Crossing Pub: New Home of Live Celtic Music in the Fraser Valley

By CATHOLINE BUTLER - VANCOUVER - On a recent visit to Surrey, I stopped in to the Dublin Crossing Irish Pub. The establishment has only been opened since January....more

Over 300 Injured and 33 Dead And Still No Justice for Victims

THE DUBLIN AND MONAGHAN BOMBINGS By Joe Tiernan ...more

CELTIC FOODS

Lamb in Guinness With Colcannon Slow braised Salt Spring Island lamb shanks in Guinness with wild mushrooms, colcannon potatoes and buttered spring carrots....more

Meet the New Owner of the Wolf and Hound: Jennifer Gallacher

By CATHOLINE BUTLER - VANCOUVER - The highly popular Wolf and Hound on West Broadway is under new management. Jennifer (Jen) Gallacher is the new owner and she has deep Celtic roots....more

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TITANIC - AN UNSINKABLE LEGEND TRAVEL DIARY By DAVE ABBOTT

The Titanic legacy is like a Greek myth wrapped in a Bible story until being finally "immortalized" by Kate and Leo's epic in Hollywood...more

Ceili's Pub and Restaurants: Upcoming Events and Plans

By CATHOLINE BUTLER On my recent visit to Edmonton and Calgary, I dropped in to visit Ceili's Pub and Restaurant in both cities....more

North American Gaeltacht For Irish Language Enthusiasts

KINGSTON - The North American Irish language community is now in possession of a 60-acre parcel of land along the Salmon River....more

Will the Scottish Election Lead to a Better Nation? By HARRY McGRATH

GLASGOW - There are 24 quotations carved into the Canongate wall of the Scottish Parliament building. One of these is "Work as if you live in the early days of a better nation" attributed to the great contemporary Scottish writer Alasdair Gray....more

This Year's Irish Woman of the Year: Violet Moore

VANCOUVER - The Irish Women's Network held its ninth annual anniversary luncheon at Country Meadows Golf Course in Richmond where the 2007 Irish Woman of the Year was awarded....more

Step Into a More Relaxed Pace At Historic Fishing Village By CATHOLINE BUTLER

On a rare bright and sunny day recently, I took a drive out to the historic fishing village of Steveston, which is located at the mouth of the Fraser River...more

Tony Griffin Launches His Epic 7,000 Kilometre Cross-Canada Journey By CATHOLINE BUTLER

VANCOUVER - Friends and supporters of Irish hurling champion Tony Griffin came together for a brilliant night at the Blarney Stone Pub in Gastown on May 1...more

'The Bathing of Burns' in Vancouver's Stanley Park

VANCOUVER - A statue of Robbie Burns, Scotland's greatest bard, located in Stanley Park, was given a bath recently with approval by the Vancouver Parks Board...more

A Memorable Day at Vimy Ridge By EIFION WILLIAMS

"There may be no place on earth that makes me feel more Canadian" said Prime Minister Stephen Harper in front of the limestone Vimy Ridge Memorial in France on April 9. ...more

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North American Debut of Play Based on Scenes from the Saville Inquiry

CALGARY - The Calgary staging of Bloody Sunday: Scenes from the Saville Inquiry on March 15-17 and March 20-24, was the North American debut for the play...more

Envy UK Jewellery Now Available in Vancouver

VANCOUVER - Keith Jack is the owner of Envy UK Jewellery which is based in Glasgow, Scotland. ...more

The Liffey Players Stage a Powerful Recreation of Scenes from the Saville Inquiry

VANCOUVER - On March 23 I flew down to Calgary along with a group of women to attend the Liffey Players Drama Society production of Bloody Sunday...more

New Scots Gaelic Language School Based on Nova Scotia

The Scots Gaelic language is enjoying a contemporary renaissance both at home and abroad. The government of Scotland has published the "National Plan for Gaelic" to encourage the use of Gaelic...more

New Retail Location for Celtic Creations

VANCOUVER - With the arrival of Spring and the onset of finer weather, the wedding season is fast approaching. Many brides and grooms of the Celtic persuasion...more

New Interpretative Centre at Battle of Culloden Site

The year 2007 has been designated "The Year of Highland Culture," ...more

DREAM MAKER STUDIO: One of Vancouver's Premier Independent Recording Studios

VANCOUVER - Are you a musician looking to record an album or a demo CD? Dream Maker Studio in North Vancouver has the whole package to make your dreams come true...more

Stars Aligning for SNP Majority What Does it Mean for Scotland?

GLASGOW - With a month to go before the Scottish election, the stars seem to be aligning for the Scottish National Party....more

Many Irish People at Home and Abroad are Reclaiming their Native Language

By TADHG MACEOGHAIN - Dia dhuit! the woman greeted me as I passed her on the side of the road in southwestern Donegal...more

Patrons of the Wolf and Hound Bid a Fond Farewell to Jacquie

VANCOUVER - The patrons of the Wolf and Hound said farewell to Jacquie Metzler on Saturday evening March 30 at an informal and well attended gathering at the pub...more

Lord Steel Speaks About Scottish Parliament at SFU Centre for Scottish Studies

VANCOUVER - Although still jet-lagged after stepping off a Zoom Airlines flight from Glasgow only hours earlier, Harry McGrath of the Centre for Scottish Studies warmly welcomed Lord David Steel of Aikwood ...more

7,000 Kilometre Cross-Canada 'Ride for the Cure' Epic Journey Kicks Off from Vancouver

VANCOUVER - Irish hurling champion Tony Griffin has put his career on hold as he aims to raise EU150,000 by cycling across Canada and Ireland....more

The British Butcher: 'Quality, Service and Value at the Best Prices in Town'

On a recent trip to North Vancouver, I dropped into the British Butcher Shoppe to say hello to owners Robert Goodrick and Gerry Davenport....more

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Tourism Ireland Presents New 'Ireland Showcase'

VANCOUVER - Tourism Ireland Vice President for Canada, Alison Metcalfe addressed an invited group of tour operators and convention organizers at the 2007 "Ireland Showcase" reception....more

Tom Byrne: From Dublin to Dawson City A Life Lived Following His Own Heart

There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold: The Arctic trails have their secret tales....more

Steve McVittie: Gearing Up for the St. Patrick's Day Parade

VANCOUVER - Steve McVittie wears several hats, but the one in which he is most recognized, is the green and gold top hat he wears at the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.....more

Lord Steel of Aikwood to Speak at SFU Centre for Scottish Studies

VANCOUVER - The Centre for Scottish Studies at Simon Fraser University is pleased to announce that Lord Steel of Aikwood will visit Vancouver in April ....more

Clan Henderson Chief Makes Official Visit to Canada

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia - Alistair Henderson of Fordell, Chief of the Name and Arms of Henderson along with his partner, Audrey Pluis, made their first official visit to Canada in October....more

Irish Determination Drives Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan in his Project Civil City Plan

By CATHOLINE BUTLER VANCOUVER - Almost anyone in the public eye and certainly in politics is a target for criticism...it seems to go with the territory. ....more

Colour Tech II Reluctantly Moves to New Premises

By CATHOLINE BUTLER LANGLEY - Liverpool-born Rose Farrell, owner and operator of Colour Tech II Hair Studio is packing up her hair salon after 10 years ....more

Oscar's Art Books is 17 Years Old and Still Going Strong

VANCOUVER - Oscar's Art Book Store in Vancouver, celebrates 17 years and going strong on March 17. Is it Irish luck? ....more

The Annals of the Four Masters: Written 375 Years Ago in Donegal

BY MÁIRE CONVERY On January 22, 1632 in a secluded monastery on the banks of the Drowes River, four historians began work on arguably the most important record of Irish history....more

Mahony & Sons Public House: A Reputation for Fine Food and Great Entertainment

VANCOUVER - Mahony and Sons Public House opened last July near the University of British Columbia. Shortly after the opening I dropped in ....more

Kilkenny: An Ancient Irish City Where Hurling is a Religion

By CATHOLINE BUTLER The ancient Irish city of Kilkenny [Cill Chainnigh] is situated in the south east on the banks of the River Nore,....more

Document and Back-up Your Research - You Won't Regret it!

Researching your family history is like telling a story backwards. Most stories start at the beginning and then have a middle and an end.....more

The Dublin Crossing Pub: Langley's New Irish Pub

LANGLEY - There's an old saying, "build it and they will come" which is a very appropriate.....more

Memorial Concerts in Tribute to Fallen Rideau Canal Navvies

OTTAWA - On March 14, a concert-style commemorative event with traditional Irish music, poetry and speaker will be held as a tribute to the fallen Rideau Canal Navvies (1826-1832).....more

Remembering the Irish Navvies Who Built the Rideau Canal

OTTAWA - The Rideau Canal was built between 1826 and 1832 in the wake of the War of 1812 to bypass the American border along the St. Lawrence River.....more

The Oldest Irish Pub in Vancouver Undergoing a Complete Transformation

VANCOUVER - Pubs may come and pubs may go but The Blarney Stone in Gastown goes on forever.....more

Travel Diary by Dave Abbott - Come Back Saint Patrick - We Need You!

When 200,000 of Vancouver's citizens gather to watch downtown's Saint Patrick's Day parade this month, few will have any idea who he was or what it's all about.....more

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.....And Out of the Strong Came Forth Sweetness

By ROBERT O'CONNOR Some years ago, the governing body of the United Kingdom commissioned a White Paper on pension reform.....more

New Ceili's Vancouver Poised for Grand Opening

By CATHOLINE BUTLER VANCOUVER - After much anticipation and speculation, Ceili's has finally opened its first Irish pub in Vancouver. After a soft opening to help iron out some of the kinks before Paddy's Day, a grand opening is planned for the end of February or early March....more

A Giant of a Man Has Left Us

By JOHN FITZGERALDNEW YORK - On the morning of November 16, I received the call from the office of O'Dwyer & Bernstein that Frank Durkan, the quiet giant, a true and faithful leader of the Irish in America had passed away at Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut...more

Learning the Complexities of Family Relations

By SUSAN SMITH-JOSEPHY Looking back into all the branches of your family tree has its highs and lows (pardon the pun), but there is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you "discover" a new cousin...more

Scotland: Still a Land Filled with Contradictions

By HARRY McGRATH Even the Scottish weather has changed since I left. I moved back to Glasgow last summer and watched in amazement as some people (admittedly hardy types) wore shorts deep into October ...more

SLÁINTE - TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH! February is for Lovers

By MAUREEN KEANE February is the love month because of St. Valentine's Day. The latter is named for a Saint but is usually celebrated with perhaps some less than saintly activity. What may surprise you is that activity can actually be good for you...more

Johnnie Fox's Irish Snug: Welcoming and Unpretentious

By CATHOLINE BUTLER VANCOUVER - Johnnie Fox's Irish Snug is located at 1033 Granville Street in downtown Vancouver. The establishment has been opened less than a year, but is already a going concern....more

Group Studies Mysteries of James Joyce's Ulysses

By MARIE BRUCE W. VANCOUVER - The West Vancouver Library had posted a small sign on its notice board announcing the start of a bi-weekly reading of James Joyce's Ulysses. As I was leaving the library, I spotted the notice and decided to attend the first session....more

Fundraiser to Support Travel Expenses for Local Irish Dancer

VANCOUVER - Champion Irish dancer Brianna Bell is on her way to the All World Irish Dance Championships to represent both the Western Canadian Region's dancers under 14 years, as well as her own dancing class: The Moore School of Irish Dance....more

Disunity of Scotland and England?

By TAMARA PASZTOR On January 13, 2007, Scotland marked the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Union....more

Brecon, Wales: 'A Town Where You Will Enjoy Losing Yourself'

By CATHOLINE BUTLER Want to get away from it all? Then try Brecon in Wales. The town's motto is "a town where you will enjoy losing yourself in."....more

Small Idaho Town Celebrates its Welsh Heritage

By EIFION WILLIAMS It might surprise many Welsh people to know that the largest per capita concentration of people of Welsh ancestry outside Wales itself is in the Malad Valley...more

The Vancouver Welsh Society Celebrating 100th Anniversary

By EIFION WILLIAMS VANCOUVER - The Welsh Society of Vancouver is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2007...more

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