The Okanagan Irish Society:
A warm welcome for friends and strangers alike
 IRISH TRADITIONAL dance has been offered in the community for many years, and since 1999, the Blakey School of Irish Dance in the Okanagan has given many young people, some few boys as well as girls, the opportunity to excel at their chosen art form.
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 DANCERS with the Blakey School of Irish Dance in Kelowna.
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By REG HUMPHRIES
KELOWNA, BC – Let a few Irishmen come together and in no time songs will be sung, dances will be danced, good food will make its way to the table, and even a wee drop of the spirits will be poured.
When these events happen in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia’s Interior you can be sure that the Okanagan Irish Society is having a real hooley!
The OIS had its beginnings in 1984 when Father Charlie Mulvihill, now Monsignor Charlie, shared a list of the Irish folk with Ethna Tutt. He suggested they get busy on the phone and invite the people they knew were Irish to a dinner where they could meet on a social basis for the first time.
The Society they founded has continued to meet its initial objectives, namely to foster friendship between all who cherish the Irish ideal of friendship and companionship; to support and encourage Irish music and dance; and to be of assistance and support to members in times of illness, need, and bereavement.
Father Charlie and Ethna are still very much part of the Society and can be counted upon to be present at the seven or eight functions hosted by the Society during the year.
It was with pleasure that the Society was able to provide Monsignor Charlie with his own little pot o’gold, also known as euros, when he went on a holiday to Ireland as part of the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood last year.
The musical group, Ceol na hEireann, founded and directed by Ethna performs regularly at functions for the members as well as being the “flagship” of the Society in the broader community.
Food, or more correctly “feasting” has been very much part of the get-togethers of the group and the person who is responsible in a very large measure for the repasts is social committee chairperson, Daphne Bowden.
A never-ending variety of theme meals is served up during the year by Daphne and her nucleus of volunteers, and one can be certain that there’s always a measure of profit to augment the Society’s coffers.
A principal beneficiary of this fund-raising is a Benevolent Fund, formerly known as the Jim Fahey Benevolent Fund, that allows the Society to assist members in time of need, illness and bereavement. Camp outs and an annual golf tournament are additional features of the Society’s year.
Irish traditional dance has been offered in the community for many years, and since 1999, the Blakey School of Irish Dance in the Okanagan has given many young people, some few boys as well as girls, the opportunity to excel at their chosen art form.
The school’s philosophy is to encourage and foster top-level Irish dancing in a fun, healthy and challenging environment.
Confidence, self-esteem, fitness and poise are encouraged, while dancers learn both traditional and modern technique. Teamwork and team spirit are integral for their students, parents and teachers!
Blakey Okanagan students are highly successful in competition and performance. They have had dancers in the top 10 at North American championships, Great Britain championships, and in the top 15 at the World Championships.
Dancers compete regularly at regional feiseanna and they hold a recital at the end of each dance season. Dancers may also dance recreationally, however the competition syllabus is taught to all dancers in all classes.
The Blakey Okanagan School acknowledges the Okanagan Irish Society as a principal sponsor in Kelowna, in recent years contributing $1,000 annually to the parent association as well as advertising in feis programs. The Okanagan Irish Society take great pride in “our” Irish dancers.
Ceol na hEireann, the 15 member Irish group of musicians and singers, performs in the wider community especially at the mid-March madness season when they offer eight to 10 concerts in various rest homes and seniors’ residences.
For the last few years they have been the principal performers at a fund-raiser for Seton House, a Catholic Retreat Center in the hills above Kelowna, and they were the principal performer at the National General Assembly of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Kelowna, 2007.
Annually for the last several years they have performed for the Kelvern Celtic Ceilidh, a Valley-wide festival where the Scots and the Irish join forces and perform Celtic music and dance.
For those who love Irish music, the group has produced a CD, Ceol na hEireann: Music of Ireland and this wonderful disc, a great gift, is available for $15 plus $2 handling fee. Just contact Ethna at NiLaoghaire@shaw.ca and in no time you’ll be enjoying a little bit of the Okanagan Irish!
Should your wanderings take you into that little bit of heaven known as Kelowna, you might want to check out whether the Okanagan Irish Society has an event on their calendar during your stay.
You can contact Daphne at e-mail: deb-bab@shaw.ca, or Mike at e-mail: mnoga@telus.net, or phone Bob Hillis, president of the Society (250) 765-1799. We’d love to see you and make you very welcome.
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