Following a whirlwind visit, Marina Guinness said:
‘Seattle was the best St. Patrick's Day ever!’
 MARINA GUINNESS at the Seattle St. Patrick’s Day parade. Her father Desmond was the 2010 Grand Marshal. |
 ARRIVAL in Seattle: Jose and Maura De Freitas with Marina and Desmond Guinness. |
 GUESTS at the reception for Desmond Guinness in Vancouver, hosted by Doolin’s Irish Pub: (L-R) [Standing] Eilis Courtney of the Irish Women’s Network; Desmond Guinness; Marie Morris of the Irish Benevolent Society of B.C.; Deirdre O’Ruairc - president of the Irish Women’s Network; John Cheevers - Honorary Consul of Ireland for the Province of B.C.; Pat Lowney - president of the Irish Sporting and Social Club Vancouver; and George McDonnell - vice-president of the Irish Heritage Society. [Front] John O’Flynn - secretary GAA Canadian Board. |
 DOUG EMBURY - territory manager for Diageo Canada (Guinness); Desmond Guinness; Ron Orr - CEO of Granville Entertainment; with Alison Hatton, and Jay Mangan of Doolin’s Irish Pub. |
ARRIVAL in Seattle: Jose and Maura De Freitas with Marina and Desmond Guinness. |
 CATHOLINE BUTLER of The Celtic Connection with Desmond Guinness, Galway Mayor Declan McDonnell, and Maura De Freitas. |
 BAILE GLAS Irish dancers performing at the Proclamation Luncheon. |
 PROCLAMATION Luncheon guests: [Front] Leo Costello (Hon. Grand Marshal), King County Council member Jan Drago, Desmond Guinness (Grand Marshal), Carol Costello (Hon. Grand Marshal). [Back]: F X McRory’s proprietor Mick McHugh with Galway Mayor Declan McDonnell, John Keane, and Galway Deputy City Manager Joe O’Neill. |
 ROB SHORT, Galway Mayor Declan McDonnell, Desmond Guinness, Fidelma McGinn and Bob Richard at the Proclamation Luncheon held at F X McRory’s in Seattle. |
By MAURA De FREITAS
VANCOUVER – Marina Guinness breezed into town recently along with her father Desmond who was invited to Seattle to participate in the annual St. Patrick’s Festival as 2010 parade Grand Marshal.
Both Marina and Desmond are of course part of that Guinness family – the famous brewing dynasty established 250 years ago by Arthur Guinness at St. James’s Gate in Dublin.
The family was also responsible for establishing the British Properties in West Vancouver in 1932, now home to some of the most exclusive residential real estate property in Canada.
The British Properties helped finance the development and construction of the iconic Lions Gate Bridge across Burrard inlet which opened in 1938.
As a gift to the City of Vancouver in honour of Expo 86, the Guinness family purchased the decorative lights that make the bridge a distinctive nighttime landmark now recognized worldwide.
Desmond and Marina had never been to Vancouver, so they decided to detour here to see it all for themselves while en route to Seattle.
Arriving into Vancouver International Airport on the evening of March 10, Desmond and Marina were greeted by John O’Flynn of the GAA Western Division. Before escorting them to their hotel, John took them for a short tour over the illuminated Lions Gate Bridge.
The following evening, Doolin’s Irish Pub hosted a small gathering of representatives from local Irish organizations and businesses in their private reception room.
Some of the distinctive black and white ale that made the family name famous was available compliments of Diageo, the company that now has distribution rights for the Guinness product.
Warm and charming, Desmond arrived into the reception carrying a stack of brochures under his arm with information about the Irish Georgian Society.
In 1958 Desmond founded the Society along with his first wife Mariga (the former Princess Marie Gabrielle of Urach) to help to preserve Irish architecture of all periods.
He lives at Leixlip Castle in Leixlip, County Kildare, with his second wife Penelope whom he married in 1984.
I met Desmond in the main lobby of the Comfort Inn next to Doolin’s Irish Pub and he cheerily announced that Marina was in the pub with a man and we should proceed ahead to the reception.
As it turned out the man was an old friend and Marina turned up a very short time later with her friends in tow.
Dressed casually in jeans with a scarf thrown jauntily over her shoulder, Marina is a free spirit with an engaging personality who obviously enjoys life to the fullest. She knows everyone and has friends in all walks of life.
Marina is also a patron of the arts who lives a very bohemian lifestyle. Over the years, her Nineteenth Century home Pickering House in Celbridge, County Kildare has been a welcome refuge to numerous musicians and artists and even the occasional traveller family.
When asked what she thought of her trip to the British Properties earlier in the day, the self proclaimed Irish Republican joked, “What I would like to know is who named it the British Properties.”
While most of the guests departed for home after enjoying some delicious hors d’oeuvres and a few beverages, a few stragglers stayed on to enjoy the company until the early morning hours. From all accounts it was great fun.
The next morning was dreary and cold as my husband José and I pulled up outside the Comfort Inn at 6 AM to pick up Desmond and Marina on our way to Seattle.
Despite the lack of sleep, Desmond and Marina were ready and waiting. With everyone packed into our little car, we headed off for the Peace Arch border crossing.
The trip was all the more interesting and entertaining as Marina shared her views on a wide range of topics from her fascinating family history to current events in Ireland.
John Keane of the Irish Heritage Club had instructed us to be in Seattle by 10 AM as Desmond was a guest of honour at the Proclamation Luncheon held at FX McRory’s at noon that day.
We were met at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Seattle by Fidelma McGinn upon arrival. She has known Marina since childhood and was responsible for organizing Desmond as the parade Grand Marshal.
Fidelma is involved with the Irish Reels Film Festival held in Seattle as part of the 2010 Irish Festival from March 12 to 14. Now in its twelfth year, the festival presents a wonderful collection of exciting new works in Irish cinema.
At the Proclamation Luncheon, host Mick McHugh was busy directing staff at they rushed about serving guests. Some of the special guests included Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and Galway Mayor Declan McDonnell.
The following day on March 13 was the St. Patrick’s Day parade with Desmond Guinness at the head as Grand Marshal. He was accompanied by Parade Honorary Grand Marshals Leo and Carol Costello.
It was a sea of green as floats and marchers mustered at Jefferson to march up 4th Avenue to the reviewing stand at Westlake.
There was a great atmosphere as crowds of people lined the streets waving flags. Many held signs with their family names and their counties such as McGeehan: Donegal.
A red double-decker bus was available for seniors and people with disabilities unable to walk the parade route. Sponsored by Hale’s Ale, the “Seniors Shamrock Shuttle” is a wonderful feature for those who might otherwise be unable to participate.
We had planned to return to Vancouver immediately after the parade but decided instead to stay on an extra night and enjoy the break in Seattle.
Just prior to leaving the following day we decided to make one last stop and visit the famous Pike Market.
Just as we entered we heard a familiar voice and who should we encounter but Marina and Desmond along with Fidelma.
They were preparing to depart for the airport and head home for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Ireland following their social whirl in Seattle. We had a final farewell before we were on our way back to Vancouver.
POSTSCRIPT: Following her return to Ireland, Marina spoke to The Celtic Connection from her home in Celbridge where she lives with daughter Violet (21), son Finbar (16), and stepson Jason (22). (Her eldest son, Patrick (27) lives in the U.S.)
Each year she holds a special ceremony at a nearby ancient sacred site. She said, “I got back here and made a mountain of egg sandwiches for everyone that came to see St. Patrick's Oratory and the Holy Well on the 17th.... it didn't rain, which was a miracle in itself.”
Marina raises chicken on her estate, hence the egg sandwiches. Guests attended the ceremony and then everyone walked back to Pickering House to enjoy lunch prepared by their hostess.
A ballad singer by the name of Tommy Doran wrote a song especially for the occasion. She said, “I felt like I was on rewind, as Seattle was the best St. Patrick's Day ever!”
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