A native of Kansas and graduate of the University of Limerick’s World Music Centre, Ashley Davis writes music that lives between continents and speaks to two national traditions. Between her background in American roots and love of Celtic folk, Davis possesses a unique talent for conjoining ancient history with modern, intercultural interpretation. Ashley Davis’s latest venture, “When the Stars Went Out,” is perhaps her most creative and challenging yet. Under lockdown in her home state of Kansas, the singer set herself a new task: to write songs that leaned toward the country music tradition of her childhood. “If you’re from a roots background,” Davis explains, “you start to crave that space—the quiet and the purity of it.” To this endeavor she added a further challenge: recording collaboratively, yet apart, in isolation. Davis composed each of the songs in partnerships with her band members: Dave Curley, Colin Farrell, Will MacMorran, and Duncan Wickel. Ashley’s songwriting has long been inspired by the experiences of friends, but here, her musical colleagues became her co-writers, as well as her inspiration. From there, the album reached out to an even wider community: Davis is joined on tracks by Irish and American artists like Heidi Talbot, Tim O’Brien, Tony Furtado, John Doyle, Mick McAuley, Shane Hennessy, and Grammy-award winner Shawn Colvin.

Eamonn C. McKee is an Irish diplomat, currently ambassador to Canada and formerly to Israel and South Korea.Ambassador McKee is a native of Dublin. He studied at University College Dublin, and went on to receive a PhD in 1987 for his thesis on Irish economic policy 1939-52 from the National University of Ireland. Ambassador McKee joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1986 where he began the first of three periods of service in Anglo-Irish Division. He was first posted to the Embassy in Washington between 1990 and 1996. From 1999 to 2001 he served as a press officer at the Irish Consulate in New York.After serving as head of the Justice and Security Section of Anglo-Irish Division, he was appointed head of Emergency and Recovery Section of Irish Aid in 2005.In 2006 he was appointed UN Director and Director of the Conflict Resolution Unit.In August 2009 he was appointed as ambassador of Ireland to South Korea and to Israel in 2013. In 2015 he returned to headquarters to serve as Director of the Trade Division.He is now appointed ambassador to Canada in 2020 and commencing his term of service.Ambassador McKee was a member of the talks team involved in the negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 and later involved in its implementation.

His You Raise Me Up is one of the most successful songs in the history of popular music. Recorded in over 40 languages by over one thousand artistes, it is one of four songs from the 2,000’s included in SMASH HITS – The 100 Songs That Defined America – a history from the 1700’s to today, by music professor, J E Perone. It has been performed at Official Ground Zero 9/11 Commemorations; Nobel Peace Prize; Super Bowl; The White House; Re-opening of America’s National Civil Rights Museum; Opening of Northern Ireland Assembly; Olympic Games; Queen Elizabeth's visit to Ireland and Pope Francis’ visit to the United States; Ireland’s 1916 Centenary Concert; Seoul Winter Olympics and at the first East-West Peace Concert in Moscow. In 2020, in a Quincy Jones, Coronavirus pandemic, initiative, You Raise Me Up entered the history books as the song in the world’s biggest ever, global piano, virtual recital.

Customers always ask  “How the hell did a Canadian end up in Lahinch?”Randaddy’s Restaurant, located on the beach front in Lahinch is known for giving customers a Real Taste of Adventure through their food..This taste of adventure comes from Randy’s many journeys & adventures cooking his way around the globe. We hope this video answers all your questions & gives you a little incite into what makes Randaddys Randaddys, enjoy.Hi I’m Randy Lewis, a native of Canada. So, how the heck did I end up in Lahinch? The answer to this is quite simple, I love to travel! My favourite thing about travelling is finding flavoursome foods and ingredients from around the world that I can bring back to Randaddy’s and use in my recipes. I guess that is what makes Randaddy’s an awesome eating experience.

'Following the collapse of Ireland’s Celtic Tiger economy, Ruairí McKiernan questions whether he should join the mounting number of emigrants searching for greater opportunity elsewhere. McKiernan embarks on a hitchhiking odyssey with no money, no itinerary, and no idea where he might end up each night. His mission: to give voice to those emerging from one of the most painful periods of economic and social turmoil in Ireland’s history. Engaging, provocative, and sincere, Hitching for Hope is a testimony to the spirit of Ireland. It is an inspirational manifesto for hope and healing in troubled times.'Ruairí McKiernan is an award-winning social innovator, campaigner, writer and speaker.  In 2012 was appointed to the Council of State by President Michael D Higgins, where he served a 7-year term. A business graduate originally from County Cavan, Ruairí is a Fulbright scholar, the founder of the pioneering SpunOut.ie youth organisation, a founding member of the Uplift campaigning organisation, and part of the founding team behind Gaelic Voices For Change. He is also the host of the chart-topping Love and Courage podcast a regular contributor to the media on social justice, youth and community issues, civic leadership and wellbeing. Ruairí is married to Limerick-born  singer, songwriter, musician and meditation teacher Susan Quirke and they live in Lahinch, on the west coast of County Clare. Also Maria, who, with her 13yr old daughter are encouraging others to participate in #PositivityRocksKilkee

Venture south to Ireland's oldest city, Waterford, and take some to time to discover one of the newest attractions in Ireland's Ancient East – the wonderful Waterford Greenway trail.The Greenway is a spectacular 46km off-road cycling and walking trail along an old railway line, venturing from the quays of Waterford, a city founded by the Vikings, all the way through an area rich in Irish heritage to the historic port of Dungarvan, a vibrant seaside market town with a pretty quay-side setting.Discover the stories of the past as you stop at attractions along the way and uncover the secrets that they hold — from the stunning gardens of Mount Congreve, known as one of the great gardens of the world — to Viking settlements, medieval ruins, a Norman castle, deserted railway stations, an Ice Age rock with fascinating mythical powers and a heritage railway train that still runs along part of the track.And all while savouring the breath-taking views as you journey from place to place, from lush green countryside, to spectacular views of the Comeragh Mountains, to the glory of the Copper Coast with its scalloped beaches, coves and rocky headlands.It’s a journey through time and nature — across eleven bridges, three viaducts and through a 400m long tunnel — that runs all the way from the river to the sea.

Since 1977, the Calgary Chieftains have been Calgary’s GAA club. We are a sports and social club that promotes the traditional Irish sports of Gaelic Football and Hurling. We are fully affiliated to the GAA, through the Western Canada Divisional Board and are a registered Albertan Society (Calgary Chieftains: Gaelic Athletic Association Club).St Michaels Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic football club located in Toronto! Our club has both a Sr. Men’s team and a Ladies team. We welcome all players, Canadian or Irish, new or experienced, to join our teams! Contact us if you would like more information on playing with us!

The Irish Sporting and Social Club was formed in 1974 with the aim of bringing the local Irish community together socially and to promote the games of Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie. Today, the GAA club is a blend of Irish immigrants, second generation Irish descendants, Canadians and other nationalities. The club runs a number of successful teams including the Vancouver Harps and Vancouver Celts Men’s and Ladies Gaelic Football Teams and the JP Ryan’s Hurling and Camogie teams. The ISSC continues to promote and support Irish cultural and sporting events in Greater Vancouver, and are always welcoming new members. In 2014 the ISSC celebrated its 40th anniversary and plans were set for continued growth in the future. To find out more about the ISSC Club Development please click here: ISSC Club Development Plan (Nov2014)At the beginning of 2011, it was decided to re-name the team from the Harps to the Joseph P Ryans (Vancouver), in the memory of Joseph Ryan, a founding member of the GAA who later emigrated to Canada and who is buried in Cranbrook, British Columbia. In 2011, as playing numbers swelled and the overall level of hurling grew in Vancouver it was decided that the team would make the big leap to Senior hurling at the 2011 NACB Championships, this time held in San Francisco. Founded in 2014 Fraser Valley Gaels are a Vancouver based GAA club. The club is comprised of men's and women's Gaelic football team. Fraser Valley Gaels are more than a football club. It is at the heart of the Irish and International community in Vancouver. We have as many events off the pitch as we have on, and we encourage members to become part of our growing family and community.

Adrian Coyne Cú Chulainn hurling club Vancouver: With the ever increasing Irish population in Vancouver, an idea sprung to mind in late 2018 to formulate a second hurling club in the region. Founded just last year in 2019, Cú Chulainn hurling club was established with the goal of getting people together to play hurling while creating a social outlet at the same time. In just a few short months the club had managed to recruit enough players to field both a junior and senior team and hasn’t looked back since, competing in competitions such as the Vancouver Championship, the Western Canadian Championships & the West Coast 7’s in San Diego.JP McLaughlin Vancouver Éire Óg GAA ClubVancouver Éire Óg GAA Club is a mens' Gaelic football team founded in 2018 in Vancouver, BC. The club was set up with the following goals: - Compete in Vancouver senior championship, Western Canadian Championship & other local competitions in Vancouver & the Pacific NW. - To aid new immigrants as much as possible with the possibility of assisting in obtaining work with numerous active members of the club involved in the construction industry. The club is sponsored by Connaught Masonry, who specialize in brick/block and stone work in the lower mainland.Heather Mahady Van Isle Rovers Gaelic Athletic ClubThe Van Isle Rovers Gaelic Athletic Club is Vancouver Island’s first and only Gaelic sports club. Formed in September 2019, our roster of players is steadily growing! We expect to enter the 2020 season with a men’s and ladies Gaelic football team and hope to incorporate a men’s hurling team soon. Our mission is threefold: to promote Gaelic culture on Vancouver Island; to improve each member’s individual athletic ability, self-discipline and character; and to spark a passion for Gaelic sports among Canadians, Irish-born, and the local community as a whole. The Van Isle Rovers is a not-for-profit organization that is 100% volunteer operated. Every practice and game in the league has been and run exclusively by its members and volunteers. Although many of our players are first- VIR Crest NEW.png generation Irish immigrants, many Canadian-born players have also joined the team to reconnect with their Irish roots or to try something completely new! Dipping into a diverse talent pool allows the Van Isle Rovers to operate as a successful and dynamic organization. The majority of our 2020 games will be played against some of the well-established Vancouver GAA teams. Gaelic sports have been steadily rising in popularity in Greater Vancouver, which now hosts four Gaelic football teams in addition to two hurling teams. The major local event for our team this year will be at the Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival which is held on May long weekend each year.

Re O Braoin of Na Fianna Katarokwi, A Gaelic Sports Club playing the Irish sports of Hurling, Camogie, and Gaelic Football. Weekly sessions in Kingston and on Wolfe Island Ontario. Always up for a match and new members. All ages and skill levels welcome.Cathal Duggan of  Cuala Sarsfields are a hurling club based in Toronto, Canada. The club was established in 2019 with the aim of promoting our national sport in North America and beyond.Patrick Qualie of  St Finnian's Vancouver. The Club derived its name from St Finnian of Clonnard, one of the early Irish Monastic Saints. St Finnian was the founder of Clonnard Monastery in County Meath and the infamous monastic community on Skellig Micheal, south of Finnians Bay in Co.Kerry. The Skellig Micheal story struck a chord with a group of us. Separated from home, a young group of Monks turned their isolation into a thriving community with the purpose of education and self-improvement. Here in Vancouver, we also find ourselves far from home, but with a thriving Irish community behind us, the Irish diaspora continues to grow from strength to strength. The work of Saint Finnian helped shape the Irish culture we all know and love. We hope St Finnians Vancouver GAA can impact local Gaelic Games and leave a lasting legacy on the community in a similar manner to our namesake. Naomh Fionan Abu. Why Maroon & Gold? The Maroon & Gold colours were chosen for two reasons; Maroon, derives its name from Chestnut. A tough nut to crack. The colour represents passion, ambition, courage and strength, something we will put into practice both on and off the field. Gold, to bring the glitz & glamour. It's the colour of knowledge and wealth. We have a wealth of GAA experience on board for this new team, something that will drive us forward in the coming months and years.