Irish Seniors’ Luncheon:
A wonderful atmosphere
with great music and songs
 Members of the Irish Benevolent Fund of B.C. who organized the Irish seniors’ luncheon are (L-R) [seated] Maura De Freitas, Sharon Brown and Catherine Brennan-Schwarz. [Standing] Marie Morris. |
 JIM O’CONNELL shares a good laugh with the audience after his entertaining song.
[Standing] Marie Morris. |
 THE HYLEND table at the Irish seniors’ luncheon (L-R) [Standing] Ken and Catherine. [Seated] Ozie, Lorie, Marlene and John. |
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER – The Irish Benevolent Society of B.C. (formerly The Celtic Society of Canada) hosted a St. Patrick’s luncheon for Irish seniors at the Holiday Inn Express on Hastings Street on March 16.
This wonderful gathering was made possible through a grant from the Irish Emigrant Support Programme with the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Ireland.
Every gathering for the Irish seniors’ events has a full house, but the St. Patrick’s luncheon had a waiting list.
Word has been getting around among the seniors about the wonderful atmosphere, food, and opportunity to enjoy the company of other Irish people and reminisce and enjoy the old songs and stories of their native land.
The ever-popular Irish entertainer Mark Downey had fiddle player Mary Brunner with him to entertain with Irish music and song for the St. Patrick’s luncheon.
Mary and Mark had cut their first CD, Roolya Boolya. Their music was a huge hit and they did a brisk business selling CDs.
At each event as soon as the luncheon is over, Mark will turn over the microphone to the seniors who take the stage and entertain with music, song, and dance for the remainder of the afternoon. It’s always a great time with lots of laughs.
City TV – a local television station – came in to film some of the entertainment at the seniors’ St. Patrick’s event. No doubt, it was some of the most authentic Irish entertainment that their station was showing on St. Patrick’s morning.
Maura De Freitas, Catherine Brennan-Schwarz, Marie Morris, and Sharon Brown of the Irish Benevolent Society are to be commended for the time, effort and detail they put into organizing the Irish seniors’ luncheons.
It’s very obvious from all the happy smiles that the seniors truly appreciate their work and effort in bringing them together in such a happy social atmosphere – many of whom would not have the opportunity otherwise.
Watch The Celtic Connection for the next Irish seniors’ luncheon announcement.
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