Chair's Corner - Notes from the Ottawa Irish Arts (CCE Ottawa) Chair, September 2017

Over the summer we were slightly more busy than usual. On June 16, myself, the Irish Officer (D. Doyle), the PRO (Oscar), the Social Media Officer (Pat), and guests Mary Muckle (harp), Pat Marshall (harp), Tim Robinson (pipes) spent the day (and lead up days, preparing) at the Ottawa Irish Arts booth at the "Ireland Welcomes the World" day at the Landsdowne park Horticulture building, which was also Bloomsday! The booth was prepared with instruments, Troir samples, Danny’s book on the Irish language in Canada, cds and sheet music for sale, the trifold, and up to date pamphlets. 

There was a lot of interest in the harps, the language, and interest in our events. The estimate was about 4000-5000 people came through over about 12 hours. It was clearly the best public outreach the Irish community has had in many years, that was not on St. Patrick’s, which tends to get more attention for partying. It was very successful and I hope that the outreach is noticed at our events.

On August 2nd there was a spectacular concert at St Brigid’s Centre, Kildare Room, with Pierre Schryer, Dermot Byrne, and Adam Dobres. Special guests included several locals and the Shryer brothers, who had not played on stage together for many years. It was well attended by about 100 people. It was a fundraiser for Pierre’s brother Dan, whose house was destroyed by fire earlier in the summer. The Old Sod Society provided most of the advertising, and got many people to come. It was billed as a joint Old Sod and Ottawa Irish Arts effort, and we got recognition for that. 

OIA was also invited to the exhibit opening in the Byward market hosted by the NCC and the Irish Embassy, "The Irish Diaspora in Canada: A History." It was also Liz Keogh’s last event as the 2nd Secretary of the Embassy. We bid her and Niall a fond farewell. Her new posting is in Limerick. We also met the incoming 2nd Secretary. at this event, Laura Finlay.

I attended the Irish ambassador's residence reception for the 2017 Eastern Regional GAA Championship participants, where I met the incoming ICUF Scholar, Sheila Concannon (we had said farewell to the previous scholar Kate Jordan earlier in the summer at a reception held by Margaret Moriarty).

Sadly, Branch member, Laurie Kelly, wife of Pat Kelly, died suddenly while visiting Ireland with Pat on Aug 30 at age 75. Patricia Avendano and I attended the funeral reception, and left a card on behalf of the branch. The branch made a donation to the St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation.


Respectfully || Le meas,

Craig Hamm 
Chair || Cathaoirleach

The Irish Diaspora in Canada: A History

August 17 to 27, 2017, The International Pavilion, 7 Clarence Street, Ottawa
Release from the Irish Embassy:








In this landmark year for Canada, the Embassy of Ireland is proud to present an exhibition celebrating the strong and deep bonds of friendship that Ireland and Canada have long enjoyed, as part of the National Capital Commission’s series of Confederation Pavilions.
We are delighted to commemorate the important, positive contribution that the Irish in Canada have made to the fabric of Canadian life as we know it today, through the stories of Irish personalities from the time of early European settlement onward. Visitors will explore the history and vibrancy of the Irish community in Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the southern border to the Arctic.

These stories tell about Irish people who provided labour for the physical infrastructure of Canada’s canals, railways and roads, and who were also central to the creation and development of Canada’s political and civic institutions, through their involvement in law, politics, journalism, literature, religion, trade, the military and exploration.

Quotes

“We welcome this opportunity to partner with the National Capital Commission, as we reflect in this commemorative year on the story of the warm and historic friendship between Ireland and Canada. Irish people have come to Canada since the early days of European settlement, and continue to be welcomed today as skilled workers and students, on business, or as visitors. This exhibition illustrates the Irish contribution to Canada through a selection of their stories.”
—His Excellency Jim Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to Canada


“The National Capital Commission is delighted to welcome the Embassy of Ireland to the International Pavilion at 7 Clarence Street, as part of Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations. Visitors will appreciate this special exhibition celebrating the shared history of Ireland and Canada, highlighting the enduring friendship between our countries.”
—Dr. Mark Kristmanson, Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission National Capital Commission Confederation Pavilions



To celebrate 150 years of Confederation, the National Capital Commission identified some of the Capital’s most distinctive, but underused buildings, and set out to find inspired partners to breathe life back into them. The International Pavilion at 7 Clarence Street is a contemporary building that is part of a much larger restoration project in and around the Tin House Court in the ByWard Market. Today, it hosts diplomatic missions that exhibit and promote the best of their culture, commerce, ideas, values and traditions.

Photo courtesy Ottawa Irish Arts

Photo courtesy Ottawa Irish Arts

Photo courtesy Ottawa Irish Arts

A celebration of Ireland in Canada as part of Ottawa 2017: Press Release

  

( Visit the Ottawa Irish Arts Booth at this spectacular event! )

A celebration of Ireland in Canada as part of Ottawa 2017

Ottawa Welcomes the World: Ireland

Friday, 16 June 2017; Horticulture Building, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa; 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

In this landmark year for Canada, the Embassy of Ireland, together with Irish community organisations across Canada, is proud to present a celebration of the deep and strong bonds of friendship that Ireland and Canada have long enjoyed as part of the "Ottawa Welcomes the World" series of free events at Lansdowne Park.

Ireland is delighted to showcase a day-long programme of Irish music, dance, and theatre. A warm Irish welcome awaits visitors as they take an exciting journey through Ireland's stunning scenery, and explore the vibrancy of the Irish community in Canada, taking in Gaelic sports, film, and crafts along the way. 

June 16 is Bloomsday, the day on which James Joyce's celebrated novel Ulysses is set and which is observed annually around the world. Visitors are invited to meet some of his characters, find out more about Joyce and his work, and enjoy some Joycean music and excerpts.

The children's programme includes a wide range of interactive activities for all ages. Families will have the opportunity to listen to our resident story‑tellers, learn about some traditional crafts, and try some Gaelic football and hurling, as well as to learn some phrases in Irish and some dance steps, or how to play some Irish music.

OTTAWA WELCOMES THE WORLD Series

Embassies and high commissions will showcase their country's culture in a series of world‑class free events at Lansdowne Park. As part of the Ottawa 2017 signature event series, more than 75 countries and international partners will celebrate their culture through food tasting, musical celebrations, artistic performances and more! This celebration of Canada's diversity and rich multicultural heritage will promote and strengthen ties between nations on the occasion of Canada's 150th anniversary. For more information, visit www.ottawa2017.ca.

Follow us @IrlEmbCanada, #Ottawa2017

Contact: Elizabeth.Keogh @ dfa.ie

May Ceili at St. Mark's Parish, Aylmer, Saturday 27 May

Ottawa Irish Arts is not holding the usual May ceili in Ottawa this year.

Instead one of our intrepid dance callers, Carol Ann Bowers, will call a May ceili on this coming Saturday (May 27, 2017) at 7:30pm, at St. Mark's Parish, 160 rue Principale, Aylmer, QC.

The Ottawa Irish Arts award winning céilí band will take to the stage for your dancing pleasure.  A dance performance featuring the Ottawa Irish Arts' solo dancers, capably lead by our branch secretary (and solo dance instructor) Caitlin Crockard, will also be presented.

This is a fundraiser!

Proceeds from tickets ($10 adults, $5 youth aged 12-18, free under 12) will go to the St. Mark's reparations fund and the St. Mark's refugee sponsorship scheme.

This is a family friendly event, suitable for all ages and no dance experience is necessary.

For the adults, bring your own beverages (there will be a liquor licence but no alcohol for sale).

Contact Carol Ann (819-595-1094) or Esperanza (819-695-0391) for more information.

Parish webpage link

Lots of free parking. 

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann - 2016 Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame Honours

In Sudbury, on 22 October 2016, our past Ottawa Branch Chairperson (Síle Scot) was introduced into the CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame Honours.

Sheila (Síle) Anne Scott

Courtesy of Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada

Síle was born in 1960 in Ottawa to Deidre (née Mulrennan) and Pádraig Scott. Her childhood home was a major hub of all aspects of Irish Culture.

She began Irish dancing with Peggy Kendellen when she was in primary school. By the time she had completed high school, she was already teaching. She established a dance in school in Brockville in 198, and began teaching with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Ottawa in the same year. Her dance teams have taken first place in Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada four times since 2011, and have given many performances at other events.

As head instructor for the Ottawa Comhaltas Branch, she was also responsible for calling monthly céilís, and acting as "Bean an Tí" (headmistress). In addition to céilí and set dancing, she also reached sean-nós dancing and placed first int he open event at the Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada  in 2012. Other Oireachtas awards include 2nd place in Irish language singing (style other than sean-nós -old style) in 2014, and 2nd place in poetry recitation in 2015.

She was a founding executive member of Cumann na Gaeltachta (2002) along with her husband Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh and others of the North American Gaeltacht (Gaeltacht Thuaisceart on Oileáin Úir, 2007) and Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada (2011).

Síle has been an inspirational Comhaltas figure in Canada, and in the Irish language and cultural community, for more than 20 years. Her enthusiasm is infectious. Her generosity, patience, and genuine interest in people, are immediately in evidence. Her leadership, Intelligence, vision, skills, and talents are legend.

It is with great pride that we induct Síle Scot in the Comhaltas Music Hall of Fame.

Ena O'Brien

Chairperson

Canada East Regional Board

Name change for Ottawa CCE Branch to "Ottawa Irish Arts"

Why have we changed our public-facing name?

Dear Members, a chairde, 

This is a note to let you know that the public name for CCE Ottawa is changed to “Ottawa Irish Arts.” Our legal name, and our affiliation with Comhaltas, will not change. Why are we doing this? Read on to find out.

Since its inception in 1975 our branch has been named “Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch.” This name served us well for many years, but as time moves on, so have many of our founding and long- time members. Many of those members were first and second generation Irish, and had first-hand knowledge of the Comhaltas organization.

Using the branch's legal name, which is in the Irish language, for public outreach is becoming increasingly difficult as it is difficult to pronounce (for non-Irish), and literally has no meaning to non-Irish. It is after all in another language. Changing our public facing name allows us to reach out to the broader Ottawa community in order to maintain, and hopefully grow, our activities of preserving traditional Irish culture.

By changing our name to “Ottawa Irish Arts” we tell people where we are, the culture we represent, and the types of activities we pursue. It is easy to spell, pronounce, and is consistent with many other Comhaltas branches. 

Over time we will migrate the website and other media to the new name.

We are still a Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch. From here on, I strongly encourage all members to consciously use the name Ottawa Irish Arts, particularly when reaching out to new people or groups.

Thank you, Le meas,

Craig Hamm
Chair/ Cathaoirleach,
Ottawa Irish Arts (Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch)
On behalf of the Executive

Ottawa Irish Film Festival

www.irishfilmfestivalottawa.ca 

Ottawa Irish Film Festival

Next weekend is the 3rd annual Irish film festival. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is very proud to be one of the associated sponsors of the festival.

This year with visiting actor/singer-songwriter Tara Lee on the opening night.  This year the films showcased cover drama, comedies, children's films, documentaries, something for everybody! 

Tickets: $10 in advance
            $25 for transferable 4 pack
            $45 for transferable festival pass for all six films!

Go to www.irishfilmfestivalottawa.ca for more details about our program and to purchase tickeets.

Here is this year film program: http://pamurray73.wixsite.com/irishfilmfestivalott/film-program-2017 

We hope to see everyone there supporting Irish culture and films.