THE CELTIC CONNECTION » MARCH 1997
Page 21
THE EMERALD BALL
A Jewel in the Crown of Irish Culture
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER — The Third Annual Emerald Ball, held at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside on March 1, was a smashing success and a superb kick-off to upcoming Saint Patrick's Day celebrations.
Organized by the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce, the event has become the social event of the season and has grown from 60 inaugural guests three years ago, to 250 this year.
This was my first year attending, and I was highly impressed with the dedication and hard work of the organizing committee. Months of planning produced an event that was truly a showcase of Irish culture.
Gentlemen arrived in black ties and tuxes, while ladies wore long glittering ball gowns. The program got underway at 6:30 PM with a champagne reception. As guests mingled and visited old friends in anticipation of the
CATHOLINE BUTLER
evening's upcoming events, harpist Sonia O'Connor provided a soft background of traditional Celtic airs.
At 7:30 PM, Master of Ceremonies Robert Henderson invited guests to follow Piper Constable Tim Fanning into the main ballroom for dinner.
Sean Heather (of the soon-to-be-opened "Irish Heather Bistro" in Gastown) said the Grace Before Meals in the Gaelic language.
The delicious meal consisted of smoked mackerel with potato cakes, sirloin steak with guinness sauce and colcannon amd traditional Irish trifle for dessert.
After dinner, Henderson introduced Ireland Canada Chamber President, Siobhian Heaney who welcomed guests and asked the new Honourary Consul for Ireland, John Cheevers, to say a few words to those gathered.
Cheevers, a well-known local lawyer, is from a prominent family in Salthill, Galway. He spoke about his new position and his duties as the representative of the Irish Government in British Columbia.
By this time, the excited buzz of conversation had reached epidemic proportions and as Henderson tried to get everyone's attention, I was reminded of how much the Irish love to talk. It was obvious that everyone was having a great time and enjoying each other's company.
Up to the podium next was Gregg Hanna, of the Comerford School of Irish Dancing and also spokesperson for the 1997 North American Irish Dancing Championships. Hanna spoke of the need for advertisers, sponsors and donations for auctions. This July, there are thousands of dancers expected here to compete for the North American championships.
The Comerford School then gave an exhibition of Irish dancing by their adult and younger dancers.
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IRELAND CANADA Chamber of Commerce organizing committee: (L-R) Ann Bishop, Siobhian Heaney, Robert Henderson, Helen Ritchie, John Maguire and Mary Hatch'
A DELEGATION from the new Irish Heather Bistro soon to be opened in Gastown — Bartenders, Liam Murphy and Eoin McHenry and Proprietor Sean Heather
CELEBRATING THE ARTS with President of Stage Eireann, Marie Morris, Nessa Flewelling, Anne Carr, Helen Carton, Robyn Miller and lovely harpist Sonya O'Connor