Catholine Butler Awarded First Annual ISSC Spirit Award

RONAN Matthews presented the 2010 ISSC Spirit Award for Lifetime Achievement to Catholine Butler.

CLUB person of the year: Ronan Matthews, Eimear Gogan, Pat Lowney.

HURLING management: Michael Hartnett, Sean Twomey, Denis Ryan.

HURLING MVP: John Casey, Denis Ryan.

BEST new hurler: Stephen Young and Denis Ryan.

SEATTLE Hurling Competition MVP: Denal Twomey, Eoghan Buckley.

VANCOUVER – It was a glittering night of awards at the Irish Sporting and Social Club’s 35th anniversary banquet and annual awards held on September 17.

It was a full house at the Croatian Cultural Centre with so many new arrivals from Ireland bringing such a welcome and refreshing young energy to the club. The room was buzzing with excitement as guests began to arrive.

There were numerous highlights that evening – not the least was the pride of welcoming home the conquering heroes. The Vancouver Harps hurling team, led by captain Sean Towmey, seized the crown at the 2010 North American Junior A Hurling Championships held in Chicago.

While Canadian teams have participated in the past, this is the first time the trophy has been hoisted in the Great White North.

Among the special guests that evening were John Dooley, the founding president of the Club – now mayor of Nelson, British Columbia – and another founding member Ray Byrne.

There was a huge array of awards presented after a delicious buffet dinner and indeed, there was much to celebrate.

Ronan Deane did a magnificent job as usual as Master of Ceremonies.

The culmination of the evening was the inaugural presentation of this year’s 2010 Spirit Award for Lifetime Achievement and Catholine Butler of The Celtic Connection was the honoured recipient.

John O’Flynn gave an eloquent introduction to Catholine prior to Ronan Matthews of the ISSC presenting her with the award.

The following is John O’Flynn’s introduction:

Prior to Catholine Butler's arrival to Vancouver in 1988, she worked in Alberta as the Western Canadian Manager for O’Shea’s Market Ireland while hosting her own television show for a year called Celtic Time in Calgary and a radio show for a few years, also called Celtic Time in Edmonton.

From 1970 to 1980, Catholine was the owner of the Irish Entertainment Agency in Ottawa, Ontario and was part-owner of the Molly Maguire’s Irish Pub in both Ottawa and Montreal, Quebec and part-owner of Elaine’s Irish Pub in Ottawa.

From 1974 to 1982, Catholine worked as a fundraiser on the Gatineau Pioneer Cemetery in Martindale, Quebec. Here, she spearheaded the restoration of an Irish Famine immigrant's graveyard in Martindale. Catholine was also a founding member of Club Tir na Nog, an Irish cultural club consisting of over 2,000 members from 1965 to 1970.

I have spoken thus far of what can really be spoken of as a “lifetime” of achievements by Catholine in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. I haven't even begun to speak about what her life and actions here in Vancouver, British Columbia have meant for our proud Gaelic Athletic Association club “West of the Rockies.”

Catholine was the first person to ever bring in the All Ireland Hurling Final to New Westminster and Vancouver for the Gaelic Football Final in 1990 and 1991.

In that same year of 1991, along with her daughter Maura, they created The Celtic Connection newspaper that has allowed our club such gracious coverage these last 19 years.

Catholine assisted in producing an eight page supplement of our club's history during our 30th anniversary celebrations in 2005.

Now, to mention her marriage in 1994 to the legend who is Tom Butler, no doubt was a GAA marriage in the heavens and an Irish Sporting and Social Club “coup” to have these two lovers unite!

GAA sporting communities across this country have nodded their heads in affirmation for what our club can claim in recognizing Catholine's achievements during her time here in Vancouver. All ages of Irish know that a great choice was made by our club in such a wonderful selection.

I recall a few lines from a song we know:

A Mother's love is a blessing, no matter where you roam. Keep her while she's living, you'll miss her when she's gone. Love her as in childhood.....And so Catholine...I'll finish with words from your daughter, Maura:

“It gives me great joy to see my mother Catholine Butler receive the first-ever Spirit Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club. I believe this award is extremely well-deserved and could go to no worthier recipient.

For almost 20 years, Catholine has been at the pulse of the local Irish community. After a lifetime of work in Irish communities across Canada, Catholine brings with her a wealth of experience. Her contacts, her approachability, and her willingness to help others have earned her this wonderful honour you bestow on her tonight. From my deepest heart, thank you.”

And so, Catholine.....We honour you. Thank you!