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JULY-AUGUST 2008
Irish Women's Network B.C. Ireland Monument A Look Back to Look Forward Project Update
- Celebrating 10 Years
By DF.IRDRF. O'RUAIRC
President - Irish Women's Network VANCOUVER - This has been a busy and rewarding year for the Irish Women's Network B.C.
The main success of the Network is in the support and friendship that comes from women with a connection to Ireland getting together at various times during the year for fun and entertainment but also to help each other and others in need.
In this, the IWN's 10th anniversary year, activities offered members opportunities to engage in interesting activities and make a contribution to our community.
Perhaps one of the most memorable and successful activities was the 8008 "Glimpse of Ireland" charity calendar undertaken by more than 70 members.
It raised over 09,000 for two initiatives, the Celtic Society of Canada (helping Celtic families in the Lower Mainland in need) and Our Lady's Hospice in Lusaka, Zambia. Visit our website (www.irishwomenbc.net) for a letter from Sister Kay O'Neill from the Hospice in response to the donation.
Each year a woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the local community is celebrated as Irish Woman of the Year. This year's winner is Kathy King from White Rock.
Kathy, along with other local Irish people in White Rock, was involved in founding the Irish White Rock Club. Active in the Irish community over the last 30 years, Kathy has been very supportive to any new Irish moving into White Rock, always extending a warm hand of friendship and making them very welcome.
The IWN has a very active social calendar with a number of social events throughout the year including the Nollag na mBan "Women's Christmas" dinner in downtown Vancouver, an annual lunch date at the end of May, an annual golf tournament open to golfers of all levels, a Fall tea and an annual fundraiser.
Our recent golf tournament at the Mylora course on June 8 was a great success with over 25 women attending.
Once again, the sun was shining on our efforts. Many thanks to Marie Morris, her sister Noeleen Corr, and daughters Carol and Fiona for organizing a very successful event.
Marie Morris would like to extend a big thank you to all supporters and those who donated gifts to the golf tournament. Very much appreciated.
Apparendy, the IWN is the only Irish women's group outside of Ireland (confirmed by the Irish embassy in Ottawa!). If you are aware of another Irish women's group in existence, do let us know as we would love to make contact with them.
We're always interested in women with a connection to Ireland joining us. Our membership covers all ages and backgrounds. We exist to foster friendships and connections between Irish women in B.C. and to reach out to those in need of friendship or help.
FIONA BYRNE, Noeleen Corr, Marie Morris, Deirdre O'Ruairc Carol May, recognizing Marie's work in organizing the golf tournament every year.
If you are interested in connecting with us, check out our website at www.irishwomenbc.net, or contact Deirdre O'Ruairc (604) 538-6765.
We would like to thank all of our members and friends for their support and involvement in so many of our endeavours this year.
A special thank you to our executive - Deirdre O'Ruairc, Geraldine Megennety (Secretary), Filis Courtney (Treasurer), Siobhain Heaney, Clare Fox, Siobhan Airey, Margaret Brown, Helen Ritchie, Patricia Jarvis and Pam Glass. Go raibh maith agaibh go leir.
Ireland Celebrates JFK's Legacy With Unveiling of Statue
NEW ROSS, Co. Wexford - A life-sized bronze sculpture dedicated to President John F. Kennedy was unveiled on June 29 on the occasion of the 45 th anniversary of his historic three-day visit to New Ross and Ireland.
This is the only statue on the island of Ireland dedicated to the memory of President John F. Kennedy whose family hails from just outside of New Ross in the small village of Dunganstown.
It was President Kennedy's greatgrandfather, Patrick Kennedy who first emigrated to the United States from Dunganstown.
President Kennedy returned to his family's homestead in Dunganstown while serving as the 35 th president of the United States and received a rapturous welcome from all corners of Ireland during his visit.
The visit became popularly known as "The Homecoming" as he was greeted at Dublin Airport by then Irish President Eamonn de Valera and taken on a whistlestop tour of Ireland during three memorable days.
Former United States Ambassador to Ireland, Jean Kennedy Smith, attended the ceremony as a special guest of honour and performed the unveiling of the statue dedicated to her late brother.
Jean Kennedy Smith commented during the ceremony on her brother's visit to Ireland, "It was the first time a sitting American president had visited Ireland. He enjoyed his trip to Ireland more than any other of his presidency. There was no doubt in any of our minds
just how much of an impact that trip had on him."
She went on to say about her brother, Senator Ted Kennedy, who is recovering from serious brain surgery, "He's good, he's terrific, he has a great sense of humour, he's strong, everything has gone as hoped."
Following the unveiling, at the Kennedy Homestead, Dunganstown, an afternoon tea party was hosted by the Irish branch of the Kennedy family. It was here that President Kennedy was guest of honour at a tea party hosted by his Irish relatives and friends during his visit.
FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR to Ireland and sister of John F. Kennedy, Jean Kennedy Smith, next to the statue of John F. Kennedy which was unveiled in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland.
VANCOUVER - Last month, while on a brief visit to Ireland, Brendan Flynn, coordinator of the Ireland Monument, met with several officials and organizations to promote the project in Ireland and provide awareness of the Irish contribution to Canada during the last three centuries.
On June 19, a copy of the full documentation for the monument project, including all artwork, was delivered to the secretary general for the president at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin.
This document was previously presented to the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation on June 5. On June 19, Al McCabe of the Ireland Monument Committee also delivered a copy of the monument documentation to the offices of Premier Gordon Campbell in Vancouver.
During the trip to Ireland, Flynn also met with officials of the GAA at Croke Park, Wicklow County Council, Rathnew Gaelic Football Club, Bray
Urban District Council, Department of Arts Sport and Tourism in Dublin, and many individuals in Wicklow and Dublin.
While in Belfast, Flynn also met with Father Aiden Troy of Holy Cross Parish in the Ardoyne, and also members of Rossa Gaelic Football Club on the Falls Road.
Father Troy is noted for his contribution to the Peace effort during disturbances in 2001 and 2002.
During his travels Flynn was accompanied by Eddie Reynolds, coordinator of the project in Ireland. Reynolds provided much help in organizing meetings in Dublin and Belfast.
On reflection, Flynn noted those officials whom he met were very impressed with the project and wish it every success.
The Ireland Monument Committee will follow up with further correspondence to persons in Ireland to keep the project in the forefront.
DELIVERING the Ireland Monument documentation to Garda David Fitzpatrick at the gates of the Phoenix Park in Dublin.
Road Safety Campaign Targets Women
A new road safety campaign, aimed at saving the lives of young women, has been launched by the Irish Road Safety Authority. Using the slogan "He Drives, She Dies," the aim is to encourage young women to refuse to get into the cars of young men whom they know to drive dangerously.
An analysis of road deaths over 10 years to 2006 showed that 1,444 females were killed or seriously injured in cars driven by males. It also emerged that the vast majority of female passengers in the 17 to 24 age group, who were killed in road accidents, were travelling in cars being driven by males in the same age group.
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Offensive Remarks Target Irish Travellers
A complaint about remarks seen to be offensive to members of the Travelling community has been upheld by the Irish Broadcasting Complaints Committee. The remarks occurred during the Saturday morning children's program The Once a Week Show, presented by Sinead Ni Churnain and Dustin the Turkey, and featuring comedian Patrick Kielty.
Travellers were referred to as " tinkers," and "knick knacks" in an exchange which was described by Pavee Point Travellers' Centre as "seriously offensive." RTF, on the other hand, claimed the comments were made in a "gentle non-threatening way" in what was a humorous non-threatening show.
Extra Fee to Guard Van
The Irish Times reports that residents of the Limerick suburbs of St. Mary's Park, Moyross and Southill are charged an extra EU50 to have digital television installed in their homes. The additional fee is to have someone look after the installer's van while he is in the house and make sure it's still there where he returns.