Busy Year at Edmonton
Irish Sports and Social Society
EDMONTON - It has been a hectic year at the Irish Club in Edmonton so far. Two new events have been introduced to their busy calendar.
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IN THE KITCHEN with Bill and Seamus
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For the first time ever, "Irish Week in Edmonton" was proclaimed by Mayor Stephen Mandel at a banquet on March 10. A full house heard Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel pay tribute to the contribution of the Irish community to Edmonton's success story.
He presented a framed proclamation from the city, and was made an honorary member of the club. He even "pulled" a pint at the bar and did an admirable job, assisted by club barman Walter Leabody.
On the same evening the first "High King and High Queen" of Irish week were selected, and "reigning" over the entire week's celebrations, were long-time members and volunteers, Ann Jones and Seamus Donaghy.
An open house and poetry reading made for a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon, which featured a concert by the Hackett family that drew a standing ovation.
Monday night was movie night, featuring Irish films and was a great success. Tuesday featured a virtuoso concert by Clare Michniewski and her band. Wednesday featured the Knock Dancers spectacular, which saw a standing room only crowd, witness one of the best ever "Irish Nights" at the club.
Thursday's entertainment featured the Matterin Dancers, the Sherwood Park Ceili Band
and a traditional ceili. The week was rounded out with an Irish trivia night and entertainment by Harry and Sinead Welling on Friday evening.
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MAYOR STEPHEN MANDEL tries his hand pulling a pint at the bar of the Edmonton Irish Club assisted by Walter Leabody and Ainsley Baldwin.
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St. Patrick's Day started early with Gaelic football and hurling club finals direct via satellite, along with the now "world famous" Irish club breakfast. A live television broadcast between 10 AM and Noon, meant the party got started early.
Live music throughout the afternoon, lots of Irish stew, and evening entertainment by Spirit of the Atlantic completed what was a great week at the club.
The second new event was the crowning of the very first representative from Edmonton, to travel to Ireland for the "Rose of Tralee" competition.
At a lavish banquet at the clubhouse on April 21, Jessica Bell was chosen as the first "Edmonton Wild Irish Rose" to travel to the qualifying event in Limerick on May 28. Jessica is a second year student at the faculty of science at the University of Alberta, and is an accomplished dancer, singer and musician. She will be a wonderful ambassador for Edmonton and Western Canada.
Bright and early the following morning, the National League football final was well attended by the faithful Gaelic followers. Mayo man Tommy Regan was once again on the losing side, but Jim Mclaughlin from Donegal was modest in victory.
It was a great warm-up to the Gaelic season, and the regular Sunday morning breakfasts, that will be on offer from now until the All-Ireland final in September.
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THE SUNDAY MORNING regulars, who watched Donegal and Mayo in the League Final. Pat McCormack, Martin Egan, Jack Bell, Jim McLaughlin, Tom Morris, Sean Murphy, Pat Heaney, Matt Monaghan, Tommy Regan, Sean Smith, Sean McGeown, Pat Tully, Brendan Brady, Chris Whelehan, Pat Fitzgerald and Liam McClelland.
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