2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Ball
April 27th, 2009 . by adminThe Edmonton Chapter of the Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce held their second annual St.Patrick’s Day Ball at The Sutton Place Hotel on the 14th March 2009. It was an evening of fun and laughter where friends renewed old acquaintances, made new ones, relaxed and soaked up the atmosphere. It was made more memorable by the winning of the Triple Crown and 6-Nations Championship by the Irish Rugby team, a feat not achieved since 1948.
The Host and Master of Ceremonies, Marc Schilz of CBC Radio fame, handled the evening’s proceedings with easy charm, wit and gracious understanding of the Irish humour which earned him Honorary Irishman status for the evening.
Jim Muldowney, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the University of Alberta, said Grace i ngaeilge. Special kudos to the hotel staff for a wonderful meal and service that was par excellence.
Entertainment was provided by the Mattierin School of Irish Dancing which has performed world wide with great distinction. Having dined and wined well the guests were treated to a superb performance of traditional Irish dancing coupled with a modern interpretation of a selection of jigs and reels.
During the course of the evening the President of the Edmonton Chapter Chamber Board, Colm O’Carroll, announced the inauguration of an Endowment Fund at the University of Alberta which will facilitate Canadian students of any faculty wishing to study in Ireland. Colm O’Carroll threw down the gauntlet to the Irish Diaspora of Edmonton to raise the necessary funds within a time scale of the 10th Annual Ball. This is a bold and laudable undertaking by the Edmonton Chapter that deserves everyone’s support. The Board is to be complimented on its foresight and ambition for the strengthening of the links between Edmonton and Ireland. Guests were encouraged to submit a name for this Endowment. At last call-over the list was reduced down to two, namely, “The Edmonton/Ireland Endowment”, and “The Wild Geese Endowment”. The latter eventually won the honours.
By way of raising the necessary money for this Endowment Fund, live and silent auctions were the order of the evening with Marc Scholz officiating as a most persuasive auctioneer. A great big “Thank You” goes to all those who generously contributed items for these auctions.
University of Alberta representative, Gregory Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Science, was present at the Ball. He expressed the University’s pleasure at the opportunity to participate in the setting up and facilitating of such an Endowment.
The evening concluded with dancing to the music of the Trocadero’s, a local Edmonton band with a big-band sound. Go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo aris.
Written by Mr. Ned Kerins.