A message from Ambassador Jim Kelly:

A Chairde, dear friends,

During his visit to Canada in August, An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D. announced the Government’s initiative to double Ireland’s Global Footprint by 2025. In his remarks, he also expressed his wish to see an expansion of both the diplomatic and state agency footprint in Canada, reflecting the close relations between Ireland and Canada across all areas, and noting the potential for stronger trade and investment links as CETA comes into force and Brexit becomes a reality.

Today, in tandem with the release of Budget details, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., announced that Ireland will open five new resident Diplomatic Missions, including a new Irish Consulate in Vancouver, to serve Western Canada.

This marks the first expansion of Ireland’s residential diplomatic presence in Canada since the opening of the original Mission in Ottawa in 1939.

In making the announcement, Minister Coveney noted that:

“The opening of a Consulate in Vancouver in western Canada reflects the strength of the Ireland-Canada relationship, the growing economic importance of that region and also the fact that there is a large Irish community now living there. This will strengthen our hand when helping Irish business to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, with the Consulate serving as a gateway for Irish business to western Canada”.

 https://www.dfa.ie/news-and-media/press-releases/press-release-archive/2017/october/minister-coveney-budget-2018/

I am delighted by today’s news, which I believe will enhance the Ireland-Canada relationship, as well as our capacity to serve the Irish community and pursue Ireland’s interests in Canada.

I look forward to working with you, and in particular the Irish community in Vancouver and across Western Canada, as we take this initiative forward in the period ahead.

Jim Kelly

10 October 2017

Take a Hike with IWN-ON!

When:                        Sunday, October 1, 2017
Time:                         10:00 a.m.
Where:                       P11 at O’Brien Beach/Meech Lake, Gatineau Park
Hike Leader:            Aileen Comerton
How Long:               2 hours max. for the hike itself, incl. a rest at the summit
What to Wear:          Light Hiking Boots and Clothing Layers
What to Bring:         Water and light refreshments (fruit, nuts, granola or chocolate

What if it Rains?      Hike will be cancelled wt. note to your email address on the morning of the hike

What happens when it’s over?  Optional post-hike lunch at the Old Chelsea Pub

A message from the Irish Embassy:

Dear Friends,

I wish to draw your attention to the new online passport renewal service for adult applicants, to be launched tomorrow Thursday 30 March.

Irish Citizens who are over 18, have held an Irish Passport and have not changed their name from their previous passport can now apply to renew their Passport online via the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

This new service will be convenient, secure, and will offer faster and more predictable turnaround times. The initiative is part of the passport reform programme which is modernising passport systems and controls and will bring further benefits to Irish citizens at home and abroad in the years ahead.

What you need to know to apply online:

• You must be aged 18 or over
• Your name must be the same as your previous passport
• You must have previously held an Irish Passport which has expired less than 5 years ago
• Your Passport Book must have less than 12 month’s validity remaining on it. This does not apply for applications due to lost, stolen or damaged passports books.
• Your Passport Book number must begin with either the letter ‘P’ or ‘L’

You will be asked to input your home address and your postal address, if different, on the online application form. Please bear in mind when inputting your postal address that your Passport Book must be signed for on delivery.

Please see the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website for full information, terms and conditions and the online application form: https://www.dfa.ie/passportonline/

Any queries regarding the new service can be emailed via this link or by calling Tel: (+353) 1 6711633.

Dust off your spring bonnet or sport a fascinator and join the Irish Women’s Network of Ontario for the 4th Annual Ladies’ Spring Garden Party!

Where: Residence of the Irish Ambassador, 291 Park Rd, Rockcliffe
When: Sunday, May 7th, 2017, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
General Admission: $35
Seniors: $25

Enjoy delightful refreshments, entertainment, a silent auction and door prizes.

All proceeds will go to supporting the Ottawa chapter of Darkness into Light, a movement that started in Ireland to remove the stigma and provide treatment for those dealing with depression and other mental health issues.

Buy your tickets here.

Purchase your tickets online now!

Feel free to extend the invitation to your friends!

COMING MARCH 22-25, 2017 (PREVIEW MARCH 21).

Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Terrence McNally
March 22-25, 2017 (preview March 21)Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday matinee at 2:30 p.m.
Buy Tickets

A Man of No Importance is an award-winning off-Broadway musical with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens (composer/lyricist team for Once On This Island) and a book by Terrence McNally (Ragtime, Love Valour and Compassion!), based on the 1994 Albert Finney film, A Man of No Importance. It tells the story of an amateur theatre group in Dublin and their leader, Alphie, a middle-aged Dublin bus conductor who – enthralled with Oscar Wilde – is determined to stage a version ofSalome at his church, despite the objections of church authorities. Exquisite music and a deeply moving story.

Tickets: Buy Tickets

For more information, please contact:

Linda Boland (linda.boland@rogers.com). 

A great time was had by all!

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See photos from past events here! 

The Embassy of Ireland presents My Name is Emily at the European Union Film Festival in Ottawa on Friday, November 18, 8:35 pm at Carleton University’s River Building Theatre.

After the death of his wife, Robert, a best-selling author, suffers a mental breakdown and is institutionalized, leaving his daughter Emily in foster care. On her side, Emily begins to suspect that something is really wrong when she doesn’t receive her father’s annual birthday card. Accompanied by her shy classmate Arden, Emily embarks on a road trip to free her father from his psychiatric hospital in the north of Ireland. The journey will take both Emily and Arden to unexpected places.

For more information, click here.

TICKETS:
CFI Members, seniors (65+), students: $9.00  Requires valid ID.
Non-members / General Admission: $13.00
Carleton Students and Staff FREE! Requires Carleton ID. Rush line only.

While this year’s hike was rained out, an enthusiastic group gathered for the pre-arranged post-hike lunch at the Chelsea Pub. A great time was had by all!

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