Doolin’s Overcoming Red Tape and
Moving Ahead with Official Irish Pavillion
 CELEBRATING the seventh anniversary of Doolin’s Irish Pub: (L-R) George McDonnell, vice-president of the Irish Heritage Society; Jay Mangan, GM at Doolin’s; entertainer Brian Flanagan; and Ron Orr, CEO Granville Entertainment. |
 HEATHER COUSTEAU, Laurel Cullin and Edythe Cullin enjoying the evening at Doolin’s birthday celebration. |
 TANIA RICHARDS, Mike Tedman and Alison Hatton at the Doolin’s anniversary party. |
 NIKI MARETTA serving delicious appetizers at Doolin’s. |
If you’re Irish come in to Doolin’s
There’s a welcome there for you
If your name is Timothy or Pat,
So long as you come from Ireland,
There’s a welcome on the mat
We’ll sing a song and we’ll make a fuss,
Whoever you are you are one of us,
If you’re Irish, this is the place for you!
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER – Doolin’s Irish Pub will be the official Irish pavilion during the 2010 Winter Games – with huge tent with a capacity to hold 700 people erected beside the pub.
There will be hostesses to greet the visitors, food, entertainment, and lots of the black foamy pints will no doubt be crossing the bar, to say nothing of the craic when you will get Irish visitors, Olympic athletes, and the local Irish community all mingling together....let the good times roll!
On November 25, Doolin’s Irish Pub celebrated their seventh birthday. It’s been a success story at Doolin’s ever since they first opened the doors. Testimony to that are the long line-ups every weekend to enjoy the hospitality and entertainment.
Maura and I dropped in on the birthday party, which was in full swing with hostesses circling the room with trays of delicious appetizers. Brian Flanagan was entertaining with some Irish favourites and everyone was having a great time.
We met George McDonnell, vice president of the Irish Heritage Society at the celebration. Dublin-born, George has been instrumental in introducing the Doolin’s executive to the Olympic Council of Ireland when they travelled to Ireland together recently.
Everyone at Doolin’s is very excited about hosting the Irish pavilion but it hasn’t all been easy going with all the rules, regulations and general bureaucratic red tape. Some European countries trying to set-up venues for the Olympics have already nicknamed Canada ‘red tape country’.
I had a brief conversation with Jay Mangan, general manager of Doolin’s Irish Pub on how plans were progressing for the pavilion.
He said, “I think that we have to realize that we live in a very bureaucratic society. Everyone wants to make sure that everything is safe and secure and that the right thing is done, but when it comes to the Olympics, it seems everyone wants to be involved or have something to say, and that really slows the process down.
“In the end, we’re pretty sure that everyone will end up agreeing that the Olympics are for the benefit of the city, and making it an all around excellent experience in Vancouver.
“This is probably one of the biggest challenges that you could have in your life, in an operational context. Every day gets more exciting, and every day we take another item off the list. Basically everything is unfolding as it should, and when you’re prepared that’s half the battle.”
If you would like to be part of the Olympic excitement at the Irish pavilion, Doolin’s have openings for staff and volunteers, bar and serving staff, greeters, hosts and hostesses, Irish ambassadors, and support staff. Send your applications to: jobs@granvillevan.com. For more details, see www.doolins.ca.
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