Frances Privelage, Ciara McKinney: Northern Irish Connections A global community of Northern Irish abroad and friends of Northern Ireland, connected by a shared pride in the region and a desire to help it prosper. Developed by Invest Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Connections provides a network for partners from all walks of life. Domestic and international, public and private, all members share our ambition to make Northern Ireland the global player it deserves to be.

With its underwater “wing,” or hydrofoil, the Artemis EF-12 Escape lifts entirely out of the water while cruising, dramatically reducing drag. Artemis Technologies’ vessels are capable of reaching speeds up to 36 knots- nearly double the pace of conventional ferries, and with just half the energy use. Think smoother rides, fewer emissions and a future where crossing the Salish Sea is as elegant as it is efficient. Demonstration voyages and technical trials will took place from June 16-23. Technical trials tested cutting-edge debris detection and collision avoidance systems developed by Artemis Technologies in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast - vital technology for BC’s complex marine environment. Mark Collins, CEO of FRS Clipper, which operates the popular Victoria Clipper between Seattle and Victoria, sees the Artemis EF-12 Escape as a potential game-changer. “There is tremendous opportunity to introduce reliable, high-frequency passenger ferry service to coastal communities in BC thanks to cost-effective technology like this.” Greenline Ferries, founded in 2022, aims to launch all-electric routes from Gibsons and Bowen Island to downtown Vancouver by 2027. “We’re not just showcasing a ferry,” said Greenline CEO Callum Campbell. “We’re previewing an option to connect our region cleanly, efficiently, and beautifully. The technology has enormous potential for BC, and we look forward to these trials.” David Tyler, co-founder of Artemis Technologies, commented: “We’re proud to support cleaner transport by providing our proven, zero-emission Artemis EF-12 Escape for these demonstrations. It’s fantastic to bring this vessel to BC waters for the first time to showcase its real-world performance.”

On Sunday, May 17, 2026, community members gathered at the Global Famine Way Memorial in MacDonald Gardens Park to mark the first official National Famine Commemoration Day. The 35-minute ceremony was simple, respectful, and focused on reflection. Guests arrived to soft harp music and gathered quietly around the memorial before the ceremony began. As Master of Ceremonies, I offered a reflection on the importance of National Famine Commemoration Day and the memorial as a permanent place of remembrance in Canada’s capital. A historical reflection from the Irish Embassy by Deputy Jennie Quin which reminded attendees that famine has affected many peoples and nations throughout history. The remarks highlighted how famine caused loss, migration, hardship, and lasting impacts across generations, while emphasizing the importance of remembering these experiences today. A cultural reflection followed, featuring the reading of the poem *Quarantine* by Margaret Harvey-O’Kelly and a performance of the traditional piece *Skibbereen* by Kevin Dooley offering attendees a moment for quiet contemplation and remembrance. The ceremony then observed a solemn minute of silence followed by the laying of flower by Clare O'Connell Noon at the Shoes Memorial. Michael McBane spoke about the importance of preserving these histories through education, compassion, and public remembrance. His remarks emphasized that commemoration is not only about honouring the past, but also about strengthening our shared commitment to human dignity and solidarity. Closing remarks thanked the partners, participants, and community members who helped make the event possible and recognized the gathering as the inaugural National Famine Commemoration Day ceremony in Ottawa. Attendees were invited to return each year to continue the tradition of remembrance. The ceremony served as both a tribute to those who suffered and died during famines around the world and a reminder of the importance of remembering difficult histories together with compassion, dignity, and respect. (Text provided by Nick McCarthy) Nick McCarthy, Jennifer Quinn, Margaret Harvey O'Kelly, Michael McBane, Kevin Dooley

The National Capital Feis is an annual traditional Irish dance competition and festival held in Ottawa, Ontario. Hosted by the Sue Fay Healy School of Irish Dance, it typically welcomes hundreds of competitors—from beginners to Open Champions—across Eastern Canada. The Capital Feis, takes place every year on the Sunday of the Victoria Day long weekend in May. Aside from during the pandemic, this Feis has been running annually since 1992!

In A Man of Letters, Paul Edwards invites readers into the extraordinary life of his grandfather, William Robert Edwards (1893–1985)—a humble blacksmith’s son from rural Northern Ireland who became, through sheer intellect and passion, a self-taught writer, traveler, and family historian. From the cobbled streets of Ballinamallard to the skyline of 1930s New York, and the tranquil coasts of New Zealand to the snow-covered lanes of Ontario, Edwards’ letters, journals, and reflections reveal a life both ordinary and magnificent. Told through decades of personal letters, travel diaries, and heartfelt observations, this book preserves the voice of a man who saw the world transform—witnessing everything from horseless carriages to space travel. Yet his greatest legacy may be the written words he left behind: eloquent, humorous, and deeply human. Carefully compiled by his grandson, this collection honors a “blogger” before the internet, a family man with global connections, and a storyteller whose prose paints the past in vivid detail. Whether describing a transatlantic voyage or reminiscing over scotch mints shared with grandchildren, Grandad’s words are filled with warmth, insight, and a quiet wisdom that transcends time. Inside this book you’ll find: A captivating travel diary from Ireland to New York City in 1930 Thoughtful essays on modern inventions and cultural observations Over 40 letters spanning two continents and several decades Personal photographs and documents Tributes, including an obituary and church homily, that reflect the impact he had on his community “His letter writing is analogous to that of an artist with brush in hand…” —Paul Edwards For lovers of memoir, family history, or simply great writing, A Man of Letters is a timeless celebration of connection, heritage, and the quiet brilliance of everyday life. Pour a cup of tea, settle in, and get to know Grandad—a man whose letters continue to speak across generations.

Ben Lynch became the first Irish skier to reach an Olympic halfpipe final, where he finished eighth overall at the Milano Cortina Games. Ben was born in Rathmines, Dublin and moved to Canada aged two. He began competing at age 12 in slopestyle and big air before switching to halfpipe at 19, progressing to compete regularly on the FIS World Cup circuit.

The Road Once Taken. In 1973, a couple of young Canadian dreamers abandoned their more conventional lives in North America on a whim to join a generation of adventure seekers on the Hippie Trail. Hitch a ride with Mary and Padraig in their VW camper van as the newlyweds travel through Europe and West Asia on The Road Once Taken. Pit stops include their Greek wedding on donkeys, sickness and health in Afghanistan and India, and a brief but comfortable detainment at an Iranian clinic while border guards scoured their van for contraband. Departing from the banks of Miramichi, New Brunswick, this tale is an odyssey as told through Mary's vividly whimsical travel journal and Padraig's captivating photographs that reaches a crescendo in the mountains of Kathmandu, Nepal. It's not about the voyage, it's the road that you take to get there. The Asia Overland hippie trail was the great journey of the Sixties and Seventies. Between 1964 and 1979 hundreds of thousands of young Americans, Canadians, Brits, Europeans, Aussies and Kiwis traveled from Istanbul to India (Goa) and Nepal (Kathmandu). This group brings those Intrepid travelers together, and encourages the sharing of stories and photographs, and perhaps even the discovery of great trips, old flames and even new love. Membership to the group requires responses to several questions and to agree to the Group Rules. If questions are answered, and rules are not accepted within a reasonable time, the request will be denied. Once in the group, please do not to spam the group or do any direct or inferred product promotion. If so the posts will be deleted and the member removed. https://singingpebblebooks.ca/item/OhoofscYkHt2Ve33nOc8Ig/lists/La4oEUqKgoDI/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippie_trail https://baico.ca/en/shop/the-road-once-taken/

Music and Radio in Ireland Moderator - Dr. Ciaran Ryan (MIC) Professor Padraig O’Macháin (UCC) John Creedon (RTÉ) Nessa McGann (Radio Days Europe) Peter Browne (Former RTÉ) The Two-day event, Broadcast to Podcast; celebrating 100 years of radio in Ireland, was convened by Dr Finola Doyle O'Neill, Broadcast Historian at the School of History. The event was opened by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, a former alumnus of the School of History. Dr Hiram Morgan, School Head, also welcomed very large audiences to the Aula Maxima at UCC to explore the legacy of Irish radio and its future, discussed through a range of seven thematic panels over the two days of the conference.

Bealtaine Theatre Festival - Will Peat The Canada Ireland Foundation (CIF) is presenting the second annual Bealtaine Theatre Festival, featuring Canadian premieres of some of Ireland’s most captivating contemporary theatre productions. The Festival runs from May 21 to June 7 at the Corleck — CIF’s brand new venue for arts, cultural and heritage programming on Toronto’s waterfront. Festival attendees will be among the first to experience this state-of-the-art performance space, officially opening in November 2026. Bealtaine kicks off with the one-of-a-kind, one-person show, CHICKEN. This award-winning production from Sunday’s Child Theatre had a sold-out run at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and exemplifies the originality of Ireland’s independent theatre scene. Next, from Dublin’s boundary-breaking Brokentalkers comes BELLOW, a new theatre performance exploring the beauty and weight of keeping traditional Irish music alive, featuring expert accordionist Danny O’Mahony. Then comes an extraordinary adaptation of the story of Ulysses for children and adults alike. In Branar’s YOU’LL SEE, James Joyce’s epic story is reinvented for ages 8 and up. Bealtaine (pronounced byal-tin-uh) takes inspiration from the ancient Celtic festival celebrated on May 1st, marking the arrival of summer. One of the four major Gaelic seasonal festivals that CIF honours, Bealtaine has become a time to celebrate creativity, connection and community. https://www.canadairelandfoundation.com/

Ottawa Celtic Choir - Ellen MacIssac: The Ottawa Celtic Choir is a non-auditioned women’s community choir in the city of Ottawa that sings songs from the seven Celtic nations, as well as from strongly Celtic-influenced areas in Canada (such as the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, and Ontario). It has acquired a reputation in the Ottawa Valley and abroad for singing in the six Celtic languages as well as English, French, and various other languages. The choir participates in various Celtic festivals and collaborates regularly with other choirs to bring a wide diversity of Celtic music to Ottawa audiences. The group is good fun and has a strong sense of community. We encourage laughter in rehearsals, as the same muscles you use to laugh are the ones you use to sing! The Ottawa Celtic Choir has sometimes been described as a "teaching choir"; each song has a story behind it, and our performances include information about each song we sing. We also try to mix the well known and familiar with songs that you have probably never heard of before. Among the familiar songs in our repertoire are songs like Loch Lomond, The Log Driver's Waltz, Auld Lang Syne, Wild Mountain Thyme, and others. The less well-known include: Na Kirree Fo Niaghtey, Suo Gan, Dulaman, Mo Ghile Mhear, Cariad, Shliabh Gheal gCua, Si do Mhaimeo i, and others. ​Each season we try new songs and bring back some old favourites. ​You don't need to be able to speak a Celtic language to sing with us! https://www.ottawacelticchoir.ca/