Profiles on new Irish immigrants to Vancouver

DAVE WILSON

VANCOUVER – A new surge of Irish immigrants has started to arrive in western Canada, bringing new vitality to local Irish communities and much needed youthful energy to Irish clubs and organizations.

Over the next few months, The Celtic Connection will profile some of these talented young people to give the established community an opportunity to learn more about the new arrivals. It will also give the newcomers, who are excited about their prospects in this new country, a voice to speak about their hopes and dreams and first impressions.

Michéal Donnellan is a freelance writer from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo who has been living in Vancouver for the past nine months. He holds an M.A. in Writing from NUI Galway. In this first interview, Michéal speaks to 27-year-old Dave Wilson, a jeweller from Cork, who is now also living in Vancouver, B.C.

Dave Wilson: Irish Jeweller
INTERVIEW BY MICHÉAL DONNELLAN

So you’re Irish Dave, you are?

I am. From a place called Carrigaline. Near Cobh, and Cork Harbour there.

Your accent is very neutral, usually the Cork accent is a lot stronger.

I get that a lot. I suppose it’s because my mother’s from Wexford and my father’s from Carlow and I lived in Kilkenny for five years.

Any particular reason you decided to leave Ireland?

Well, I always wanted to travel, to try something different, to do something different, and I knew if I didn’t go then, I’d regret it again in the future.

And what do you prefer now, Canada or home?

Well, it’s good to see a different country, but my friends and family are at home. That’s something you’ll always miss.

And you’re a jeweller, Dave? How did you get into that?

Yeah, I did metalwork in school, and I always liked using my hands. Becoming a jeweller seemed like a good mix between doing something like metalwork and being creative at the same time.

What kind of occasions do you make jewellery for?

Oh all sorts, like weddings, engagement rings, wedding bands, 21st presents, Valentine’s Day and anniversaries. Lately there I made a stethoscope as a present for a girl that had just qualified to become a doctor. It was a small white gold pendant.

And the most Irish thing I’ve done is an 18-carat pin in the shape of a four leaf clover with an emerald in the middle. Nice. And where do you work now?

Van Yperen on West 10th Avenue, by Point Grey. It’s a good place to work and we often donate pieces to Children's Hospital and hospices.

That’s great, fair play, and do you intend to stay long in Canada?

Yeah, I’m going to go for permanent residency. I’ve just moved in with my Canadian girlfriend, Estelle, and that’s going well. She’s great.

TWO EXAMPLES of the jewellery made by Dave Wilson who is from Carrigaline, Co. Cork.

And what about the Irish here in Vancouver, do you see much of the older generations?

I’ve met a few. Parents of friends and some people I got to know through the ISSC. Not many over 35, though. Which is a bit of a shame.

You play a bit of sport?

Gaelic football. Which is odd, because I didn’t play it that much at home, but it’s good to be involved out here. Keeps the connections with home.

And would you like to meet people from older generations out here, like from Cork, or Carrigaline even?

I would, yeah, I’d love to talk to them, and discuss the changes at home, and what it’s like out here.

Do you think there’s many changes at home?

A lot yeah, the traditions are fading a bit, like the wakes and all that. There’s a big influence now through TV and internet and a lot of the old ways get thrown out the window. Like storytelling.

Speaking of traditions, what did you think of St. Patrick’s Day this year?

It was good. The last two times were very good, this year not so much. Doolin’s down there is very fake, they really cash in on the Irish name, they all do there on Granville Street. There’s five Irish bars I think, and Johnnie Fox’s is the only decent one. The line-ups in the city are terrible too, I don’t know why they do that.

And what about the differences between Canadian and Irish traditions, have you noticed anything there?

I was at a wedding on Salt Spring Island there lately. There was a big difference. It was a lot more causal affair, not like in Ireland. There were only two people in suits and the ceremony was outside. The reception was in a marquee, then. They had the same kinda speeches, but the ceremony wasn’t religious based, like at home.

I see what you mean. Personally, I’d like to see the young and old in Vancouver get connected and keep the Irish spirit alive out here. Can you think of any way we might all do that?

Maybe through common interests and events like music nights. If there were speakers from Ireland. Maybe celebrities or sports personalities or writers that suit all ages. An evening with John Aldridge would be great. Or Gay Byrne or someone like that.

Well, thanks, Dave. It’s been a pleasure talking to you.

I was only delighted.

If you want to know more about Dave, or see examples of his work, you can visit his website at: www.davidwilsonjewellery.com.

[Michéal Donnellan had a public reading of his play Sunday Morning Coming Down with the Druid Theatre Company for the Galway Arts Festival in July 2009. He was also winner of ABCtales Nostalgia Poetry competition in January 2008. His blog piece and poem were published in Cunga Magazine in December 2008. A short story was also published in The Stinging Fly magazine in February 2009. For more about Michéal Donnellan, visit his blog at: www.mickdonnellan.com.]

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