The Edmonton Blarney Official Newsletter of the Irish Sports & Social Society Issue 31 Volume 3 May - June 2018 TICKETS $25.00 Available at the Irish Centre (includes a sit down dinner) Questions? Katie at (780) 691-4700 or Katherine at (780) 298-2473 EXECUTIVE Irish Centre 12546-126 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5L 0X3 Tel: (780) 453-2249 Fax: (780) 451-5969 President Email: [email protected] Kitchen Hours Website: www.edmontonirishclub.ca Wed. 4 pm - 9 pm Martin Doyle Irish Club Hours Thurs. 4 pm - 11 pm 780-419-2951 Wed. 4 pm - 11 pm www.twitter.com/EdmontonISSS Fri. 4 pm - 11 pm [email protected] Thurs. 4 pm - 11 pm Sat. 4 pm - 11 pm Fri. 4 pm - 1 am Blarney Newsletter Sun. 3 pm - 8 pm Vice President Sat. 12 pm - 2 am (Submissions, advertising, pictures) Closed on Holidays Janet Wilde Sun. 1 pm - 9 pm Siobhan MacQueen 780-489-8001 780-476-0215 Closed on Holidays Email: [email protected] [email protected] Secretary Bonnie McGuire Club Rental 780-451-1721 Memberships [email protected] Are you looking for a location to hold a party - birthday, Your 2018 membership renewal is now due. Treasurer anniversary, wedding or any other special celebration? Benefits: Rory Brady The Irish Centre is a beautiful, welcoming facility seating ● Unlimited visits to the Club; 780-720-3010 up to 150 people, with a fully staffed bar and kitchen. We ● Low rental fees to hold celebrations; [email protected] are available to both members (discounted price) and ● Low alcohol prices; Cultural Director non-members at very reasonable rates. As an added benefit ● Reduced prices for ticketed events; you can also book your event on the evenings where ● Eligible to apply for the Scholarship; Shannon Haggerty entertainment has already been scheduled. 780-918-0647 ● Free Family Day BBQ; ● Free Children`s Halloween & Christmas party; [email protected] For availability contact Melanie at 780-233-7558 ● Christmas Hampers - darts, 25, poker; and more. Social Director Need catering? Applications available on our website and at the bar. Melanie Regan Our kitchen caters parties large and small; from full buffet 780-233-7558 [email protected] dinners to platters of nibbles, at fantastic prices. For questions contact Contact Janet at 780-476-0215 Anita @ (780) 887-9705 Sports Director Denise Howie 780-940-6376 [email protected] President`s Pen Member-at-Large It’s hard to believe that it’s spring, but the calendar says it’s April, and I am pleased to welcome a new executive for the Irish Centre. Anita Nixon This year, we have a full executive, with new committee members who are excited to bring their energy and new ideas to the executive. 780-457-1605 [email protected] I would like to thank the outgoing executive for their efforts over the past year in keeping things going. And to also recognize the volunteers, dancers, musicians and staff who put in a lot of work to keep the Irish Centre running and making it a vibrant hub for our membership. A Trustees special thanks to all our bakers that made delicious Soda Bread for the St. Patrick’s day and Heritage Days events. Kimberly Budd 780-919-7689 In the past year, we ran many events, including the Irish pavilion at Heritage Days. This event is important to us because over a hundred [email protected] thousand people visit this event every summer. I would like to thank all the volunteers, from the stage crew to those who prepared the Paul Hawthorn food and food sellers at the event. Also, to the dance schools and musicians that helped make the weekend a success! 780-757-3554 [email protected] We had a special visit from the Irish Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Jim Kelly. It was a pleasure to have him and our Hon. Consul Bill McGuire General Doodie Cahill meet all the people here for the lunch. To everyone who came out and helped make the day memorable, thank you. 780-451-1721 The Irish Centre was also pleased to open its doors to Cathy Murphy of the Irish Canadian Immigration Centre, allowing the wider community [email protected] to access the great services provided. Past President Stephen McElhatton Last year, we accomplished a lot, from renovations in the back to create “the snug”, a new fireplace, upgrades at the bar, and improvements 780-919-8241 on our membership system. Watch for the official opening of “the snug” in the coming months, with drink specials and food. We’ll continue [email protected] making improvements to the building to make it better for members and guests, including a fine display of GAA jerseys from all the counties. Speaking of the GAA, the executive will be working with the Wolfe Tones to promote Gaelic games in Edmonton. Events such as the Christmas basket, kids’ registration, and table quiz continue to promote strong ties between the organizations. The Irish Centre also continues to show the live matches via satellite from Ireland starting in May. TASTE We look forward to many of our other functions that are held annually, such as the Rose of Tralee, the Seniors Dance, and the Mike McDonnell OF HOME Scholarship night. Additionally, our family events such as Canada Day, the family barbecue, the pig roast on the All Ireland Final day, and Boxes of frozen pork available the Children’s Christmas Party builds the community of the Irish Centre, so that it can be enjoyed across the generations. Each box 40-50 lbs @ $6/lb Includes ham, chops, boiling bacon, I would also like to recognize the members who have passed away over the last year, or members who are ill – our thoughts and prayers Irish rashers, pork sausage and are with them. And to acknowledge members who have moved away, either back to Ireland or to other parts of the world - you will be ham sausage missed, and I know that you will be excellent ambassadors for the Irish Centre in Edmonton wherever it is you go. Delivery to the Irish club for pick-up Contact Mick & Erin O’Toole On behalf of the 2018 Executive and myself, I hope we have a great enjoyable year ahead of us, and I encourage you all to come and see [email protected] us at the Irish Centre soon. Entertainment Social Director: Melanie Regan Phone: 780-233-7558 Email: [email protected] MAY Thursday Sat. 5 Jimmy Whiffen MAY 17, 2018 (Semi-private function) Singer/songwriter/actor Damian McGinty was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. In 2007 he joined Celtic Thunder. In 2011 Damian won The Thur. 17 Daman McGinty Concert Glee Project and landed a role in the tv series Glee. (ticket holders only) Damian self-produced an EP in late 2012. In 2013/14, he was busy with Sat. 19 (Semi-Private function) Jimmy Whiffen PBS specials ‘This is the Moment’ & ‘The Power of Music’ which was then followed with a US tour. May 5 Sat. 26 Western Canada Rose DAMIAN 2015 brought Damian back on tour with Celtic Thunder and into 2016 Selection Night 9:00 pm McGINTY through Australia and North American. He worked on his first solo CD, This Christmas Time, and then to his first solo tour in December to JUNE (No Cover) THE promote his CD. An evening of fabulous music SLOW DANCE In early 2017, Damian helped actress Roma Downey and Mark Burnett Sat. 2 Acoustiholics by a very talented musician. TOUR launch Light Works Media. Damian teamed up again with Celtic (Semi-private function) Thunder for a Symphony Tour as well as a 10th Anniversary Celtic Thunder Cruise. Damian was then cast in the lead role of film, Santa Sat. 9 (Semi-private function) Door @ 7:30 pm Show @ 8:00 pm Fake, (Nov. 2018). Damian’s EP of original songs releasing Spring 2018. Sat. 16 Duff Robison Buy your tickets (only available online) (Semi-private function) https://damianmcginty.ticketleap.com/slowdanceedmontonca/ Sat. 30 Open JULY The Acoustiholics Duff Robison June 16 (No Cover) Sun. 1 Canada Day BBQ June 2 9:00 pm 9:00 pm Semi-private function : The Irish Centre is Duff has been entertaining audiences with his own special (No Cover) booked for a special event but we are open mix of music for thirty-five years. Originally from Saskatch- ewan, he has been living in Edmonton for the past 18 years. to members only. This trio fills the room with music that makes you want to As a single entertainer, he presents a full, upbeat sound sing along & get up and dance. and provides entertainment for any size room or event. Sponsored in part by Not to be missed! Sports Sports Director: Denise Howie Phone: 780-940-6376 Email: [email protected] Save the Date 4th Annual Steve Conneely Memorial Golf Tournament Sunday August 19th Hunter’s Green Golf Course 10845 - 195 Avenue Shotgun start @ 9:00 am Four-player team scramble Entry fee: $100.00/person : 18 holes; tee gift; shared golf cart; prizes; Includes (to follow at the Irish Centre) and a steak dinner Non-golfer dinner - $25.00 st Entry deadline – August 1 Payment by cash/cheque - payable at the bar (receipt will be given) For more information contact 2018 Heritage Cup Denise Howie @ 780-940-6376 The Heritage Cup is a “world cup” style tournament held every two years and is open Bring cash! We will be selling tickets for to players playing in Divisions 2 and below. 22 countries participate in this tournament.. 50-50 and a basket draw.