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February 2010

IRISH WOMEN’S NETWORK
‘What Happens at the Renaissance, Stays at the Renaissance’

CATHOLINE BUTLER of The Celtic Connection with Sharon Brown and Catherine Brennan-Schwarz are pictures seated with Maura De Freitas (McCay) and Marie Morris standing behind.

CATHERINE Brennan-Schwarz, Ann Carr, Louise Schwarz and Helen Carton.

VANCOUVER – The Irish Women’s Network held their 12th annual celebration of Nollaig na mBan (Women’s little Christmas), at the Vancouver Hotel Harbourside on January 9.

This event is always the highlight of the year for the organization and one that is highly anticipated by the women.

When you get a room full of women with nary a man in sight – except, later in the evening when three brave men took to the stage to entertain – the decibel level is definitely elevated.

Many of the women had not seen one another since the year earlier and were busy catching up on the news, while others were meeting new friends. The women from White Rock know how to do it – they arrived at the event in style in a limousine. No worries about a designated driver here!

President Deirdre O’Ruairc had to tap on the water glass several times to get a bit of quiet to say the Grace before dinner.

As soon as the last plates were picked-up from the table and Brian Nicoll and his group struck the first musical cords from the stage – the hair came down.

Shoes tossed aside and you would swear that the gates to freedom were opened wide as the dance floor came alive with a sea of dancing women. They snake danced around the room, they line-danced, they rocked n’ rolled, and Irish dance teacher Vi Moore gave quick lessons on Ceili dancing.

At one point in the evening, Brian Nicoll announced, “Ladies, what happens at the Renaissance, stays at the Renaissance.”

One woman told me that she hopes that men are never allowed into Nollaig na mBan, because it would spoil all the fun for the women.

Many thanks to Deirdre O’Ruairc, Geraldine Megannety, Eilis Courtney and all the other women who helped make the 2010 Nollaig na mBan such a memorable evening.

The Irish Women’s next event is their anniversary luncheon on April 25, where the 2010 Irish woman of the year will be announced.

For more information about the Irish Women’s Network and their upcoming events, visit: www.irishwomenbc.net.

[BACK ROW] (L-R) Eilish Wright, Gina Maslin, Marina Glass, Maeve Glass, Diane Johnston, and Jessica Johnston. [FRONT ROW] Kaja Glass, Pam Glass, Mary Schulte, and Colleen O’Keefe.	ORGANIZING COMMITTEE of the Irish Women’s Network Nollaig na mBan: Patricia Jarvis, Geraldine Megannety, Deirdre O’Ruairc and Eilis Courtney.
BACK ROW] (L-R) Mary Hatch, Olivia Noone, Jan Brewer, Collette McLoughlin and Maria Lynch. [FRONT ROW] Helen Ritchie, Mary Padilla and Tricia Andrew.	UNDER the direction of Irish dance maestro Violet Moore of the Moore School of Irish Dance, the women of Nollaig na mBan enthusiastically joined in the ceili dancing. Pictured above the women try to remember their dance steps to the Bridge of Athlone.
THE DANCE FLOOR was full all night at the 12th annual Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Little Christmas) celebration in Vancouver. Hosted by the Irish Women’s Network at the Renaissance Hotel in Vancouver, this event is one of the highlights of the year for the organization.	BRIAN NICOLL and his band entertained at the Nollaig na nBan Christmas dinner (they were three brave men among all those women!).

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IRISH WOMEN’S NETWORK ‘What Happens at the Renaissance, Stays at the Renaissance’

IRISH WOMEN’S NETWORK
‘What Happens at the Renaissance, Stays at the Renaissance’