St Patrick's Day and Irish Heritage Month 2024
Throughout March, the Consulate team joined in celebrations for multiple community events to mark Irish Heritage Month.
Our Vice Consul, Máire Ní Chriostail, judged two soda bread competitions, first at the Irish Women's Network community coffee morning at the Consulate and the second at the Van Éire Feis in Richmond. The Consulate was pleased to sponsor this Feis which heralded the welcome return of large-scale Irish dancing competitions in BC for the first time since the pandemic. Vice Consul, Máire Ní Chriostail represented the Consulate at this Feis welcoming over 500 dancers, from as far away as Ontario and Washington, to the city of Richmond.
On 16 March, Consul General Cathy Geagan opened the 2024 CelticFest main festival. It was an unseasonably sunny day of free and family friendly outdoor music, sport, and entertainment in the Art Gallery Square in Vancouver. CelticFest is Western Canada’s biggest annual Celtic festival and the St. Patrick’s Day flagship event in the city, celebrating 20 years this year. The Consulate team were out in full force to join in the festivities.
Later that day, the Consulate team attended Vancouver Queer Irish's St. Paddy's Gay event which featured live music and drag performances with an Irish theme.
In Alberta, the Consulate provided sponsorship for the Edmonton Irish Sports &Social Society St Patrick's Day Celebration. The event featured live music and traditional Irish dancing throughout the day from Quirke School of Dance, Mahony Dance School, Mattierin School of Irish Dance and Knock O'Hogan School of Irish Dance.