WATCH: Proud to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day

Proud to be Canadian, but even more proud to be Irish, is how one local Irishman describes his fondness for the country.

Pearse Walsh came to Canada over 50 years ago and is the former president of the Okanagan Irish Society, where Irish heritage and culture has fostered since 1985.

“There was a very charismatic and Irish Catholic priest here who had come across some Irish immigrants living here in Kelowna,” Walsh told Kelowna10.

“He felt it would be very important if they had some ability to come together, connect, support, and look after each other.”

Walsh said the mission statement of the society recognizes the importance of celebrating being Irish, while also being proud Canadians and celebrating all the diversity it has.

Currently, there are over 120 members of the Okanagan Irish Society and Walsh said most of them are in the older demographic. Although the Irish population may be small, he said they still have lots to celebrate.

“There is a wonderful program called the Emigrant Support Programme, which is funded in part by the Irish government,” Walsh explained. “We have been fortunate enough to receive some funding from that to promote Irish culture and heritage within the Okanagan community.”

The program helps the society provide subsidized music, dance, and singing lessons to youth, which Walsh said is important in continuing to promote Irish heritage and culture.

“We love to partake in the singing, and dancing, and other parts or Irish culture, [such as] Irish literature, Irish art, those kinds of things,” he said.

As restrictions surrounding the ongoing pandemic begin to ease, Walsh said the society won’t be hosting a large gathering for St. Patrick’s Day because most members are elderly.

“I think even without that our celebrations would be somewhat muted this St. Patrick’s Day, anyway, given the situation and things we are seeing happening in Ukraine,” Walsh explained. “I think there’s a lot of similarity between us and we’re very sympathetic to what’s happening in Ukraine and hoping things work out good for them.”

A small event will be held on Thursday at the Kelowna Curling Club in the early evening to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day over a pint.