Gaelic Sports in Western Canada
Encyclopedia
The Irish have a long and rich history in Canada
dating back centuries. The first recorded Irish presence in the area of present day Canada dates from 1536, when Irish fishermen from Cork travelled to Newfoundland.
Hurling
has been played in North America ever since Irish immigrants began landing on North American shores. The earliest games of hurling in North America were played in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1788. Many argue, with some conviction & no small amount of fact to support their case, that Canada's current favorite sport, ice hockey
, has its origins in Hurling. The word puck may be derived from the Irish word 'poc' which is the action of striking the ball with a hurley.
Gaelic football
became very popular in the provinces of Ontario & Quebec in the 30's & 40's. The Toronto Gaelic Athletic Association
representing the Gaelic Athletic Association
, was founded in 1947, and organizes the sport of Gaelic football in Canada, in the Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal areas. It currently oversees eight Men's and six Ladies' teams.
Hurling has been eclipsed in popularity by the larger ball. Gaelic Football was the Gaelic Sport that crossed the prairies and began to blossom in the West. British Columbia and Alberta are featured here, but there have been and continue to be attempts to get the games played in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
, the arrival, from Ireland in 1922 of four religious brothers – Lannon, Keane, Reid and Murtagh of the Congregation of Christian Brothers
, who came to open and direct a Catholic school for boys (Vancouver College), hold the distinction of being the first to introduce, organize and promote the game of Hurling
amongst their students.
Gaelic Football had been played occasionally between the Irish communities of Vancouver
, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington in the late 1950s. Vancouver and Seattle, along with Portland, participated in the North American County Board
Northwest Division play downs in 1962. At this time, the team was known as the Sons of Erin, and they drew with Seattle in their first match and then went down in history by being the first Northwest Champions of the NACB
when they beat Seattle on July 27, 1962 15-9 at Brockton Oval. This Division played on for a number of years. The Vancouver Sons of Erin Gaelic Football Club eventually gave way to being a soccer and social club.
The Vancouver Irish who gathered on December 1, 1974 decided that the name of a new club was to be selected. The choice of “The Irish Athletic Association” was considered but after Pat Donohue proposed “The Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club
” (or the Vancouver ISSC
), it was unanimously accepted by all present that night.
The ISSC
men first competed against teams from San Francisco (away 1975 & home 1976 – Swanguard Stadium). A donation of a stack of “back-up” hurling sticks used by the Carroll’s All-Stars touring team in San Francisco (1975) were given to the ISSC by GAA Secretary General Sean O’ Siochan which allowed a local 9 a side-hurling league to develop for a few summers. The ISSC
traveled to Victoria at this time where an exhibition match occurred with the media in attendance and Bill Milne provided a running commentary.
In the 80's, the Vancouver ISSC men played in a number of NACB play-off Junior semi-finals against an invincible Philadelphia Tyrone side. In the 90's, the Baileys Cup tournament was hosted by Vancouver's ISSC (Harps) with Calgary, Edmonton, & Seattle teams competing annually.
In 1997, Michelle Boyle arrived in Vancouver and the Harps
had their first Ladies Gaelic Football team. The Ladies games in BC now sets the standard for the Pacific NorthWest, with the Vancouver Harps Ladies perennial winners of any contest between the Wolfe Tones, Chieftains and Seattle Gaels. 2010 may the year that a 2nd Ladies clubs emerges in Vancouver.
2008 the Vancouver Harps were joined in men's competition by the Vancouver Celts
. While the team was newly founded it attended tournaments both sides of the Rockies in its first season, travelling to Calgary and winning the Vancouver Tournament. On January 21, 2009, the Western Canada Divisional Board unanimously voted for the club's addition to the Division.
and emigrated to Edmonton
in 1956. Louth went on to win the All-Ireland in 1957 and Bell took on the role of Gaelic football
missionary in Edmonton
. Bell, who was named to the Irish Millennium Gaelic All-Star team, formed a team in Edmonton, which folded after a few years due to lack of competition. At that time, a team would have to travel several thousand miles to compete.
In 1975, Christy Whelehan from Westmeath
was responsible for the second coming of Gaelic Football with the modern day Edmonton Wolfe Tones
. Christy’s stewardship guided the team through the good and bad years and he still wears the team jersey with pride (2006).
1975 also saw the formation by Mick McKenna of Armagh
of a team in the boom town of Fort McMurray, AB.
2004 saw a revival of the Northern Albertan outfit with Ronan Deane of Cork
spending a number of years in the Oil town.
In 1977, Mike Quirke of Fylemore, Co. Kerry helped start the Calgary Chieftains
. This was probably the strongest year ever for Gaelic Football in Alberta, with Edmonton hosting a nine a-side tournament. This was contested by no fewer than six Albertan teams, two from Edmonton
, two from Fort McMurray, the Calgary
Chieftains and a team from Red Deer
called Éire Óg
.
The beginnings of Ladies’ Gaelic Football in Edmonton, coincided with Leo Creedon from Cork coaching a team, consisting mainly of University of Alberta
students with very few Irish players. Maggie Charlton was the Captain of this first Ladies' team, and she was an Edmonton native. This first year, 1997, saw the Wolfe Tones Women’s team ending their season with a remarkable win over their hosts in Vancouver.
In 2006, Edmonton hosted the Handball
World Championships, featuring hundreds of competitors from all over the world.
2007 saw the Gaelic Games return to Red Deer, Alberta
, with the re-emergence the Éire Óg
. That year they competed in tournaments in both Calgary (twice) and Edmonton, and even hosted their own tournament.
.
The Western Divisional Board
(WDB) of the Canadian County Board
(CCB) of the Gaelic Athletic Association
, represents Gaelic football
& Hurling
Clubs in the western provinces of Canada. It was founded in 2003.
The WDB organises the Western Canadian Championships
, which were first played in 2004
Irish Canadian
Irish Canadian are immigrants and descendants of immigrants who originated in Ireland. 1.2 million Irish immigrants arrived, 1825 to 1970, at least half of those in the period from 1831-1850. By 1867, they were the second largest ethnic group , and comprised 24% of Canada's population...
dating back centuries. The first recorded Irish presence in the area of present day Canada dates from 1536, when Irish fishermen from Cork travelled to Newfoundland.
Hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
has been played in North America ever since Irish immigrants began landing on North American shores. The earliest games of hurling in North America were played in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1788. Many argue, with some conviction & no small amount of fact to support their case, that Canada's current favorite sport, ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
, has its origins in Hurling. The word puck may be derived from the Irish word 'poc' which is the action of striking the ball with a hurley.
Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
became very popular in the provinces of Ontario & Quebec in the 30's & 40's. The Toronto Gaelic Athletic Association
Toronto GAA
The Toronto Division Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Toronto GAA is organisational board of the GAA outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in eastern Canada. The board is part of the Canadian County Board...
representing the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
, was founded in 1947, and organizes the sport of Gaelic football in Canada, in the Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal areas. It currently oversees eight Men's and six Ladies' teams.
Hurling has been eclipsed in popularity by the larger ball. Gaelic Football was the Gaelic Sport that crossed the prairies and began to blossom in the West. British Columbia and Alberta are featured here, but there have been and continue to be attempts to get the games played in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
British Columbia
Gaelic Sports have been played in Western Canada since the early 1920s. In VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, the arrival, from Ireland in 1922 of four religious brothers – Lannon, Keane, Reid and Murtagh of the Congregation of Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
, who came to open and direct a Catholic school for boys (Vancouver College), hold the distinction of being the first to introduce, organize and promote the game of Hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
amongst their students.
Gaelic Football had been played occasionally between the Irish communities of Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington in the late 1950s. Vancouver and Seattle, along with Portland, participated in the North American County Board
North American GAA
The North American County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or North American GAA is one of the boards of the GAA outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in the United States of America, excluding the New York metropolitan region, which is under the control of the New York GAA...
Northwest Division play downs in 1962. At this time, the team was known as the Sons of Erin, and they drew with Seattle in their first match and then went down in history by being the first Northwest Champions of the NACB
North American GAA
The North American County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or North American GAA is one of the boards of the GAA outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in the United States of America, excluding the New York metropolitan region, which is under the control of the New York GAA...
when they beat Seattle on July 27, 1962 15-9 at Brockton Oval. This Division played on for a number of years. The Vancouver Sons of Erin Gaelic Football Club eventually gave way to being a soccer and social club.
The Vancouver Irish who gathered on December 1, 1974 decided that the name of a new club was to be selected. The choice of “The Irish Athletic Association” was considered but after Pat Donohue proposed “The Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club
The Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club
The Vancouver Irish Sports & Social Club is a blend of new immigrants, second generation Irish descendants and other Canadians. Over the years, the ISSC have donated their time and efforts in support of many events that have come through Vancouver by the way of Ireland...
” (or the Vancouver ISSC
The Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club
The Vancouver Irish Sports & Social Club is a blend of new immigrants, second generation Irish descendants and other Canadians. Over the years, the ISSC have donated their time and efforts in support of many events that have come through Vancouver by the way of Ireland...
), it was unanimously accepted by all present that night.
The ISSC
The Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club
The Vancouver Irish Sports & Social Club is a blend of new immigrants, second generation Irish descendants and other Canadians. Over the years, the ISSC have donated their time and efforts in support of many events that have come through Vancouver by the way of Ireland...
men first competed against teams from San Francisco (away 1975 & home 1976 – Swanguard Stadium). A donation of a stack of “back-up” hurling sticks used by the Carroll’s All-Stars touring team in San Francisco (1975) were given to the ISSC by GAA Secretary General Sean O’ Siochan which allowed a local 9 a side-hurling league to develop for a few summers. The ISSC
The Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club
The Vancouver Irish Sports & Social Club is a blend of new immigrants, second generation Irish descendants and other Canadians. Over the years, the ISSC have donated their time and efforts in support of many events that have come through Vancouver by the way of Ireland...
traveled to Victoria at this time where an exhibition match occurred with the media in attendance and Bill Milne provided a running commentary.
In the 80's, the Vancouver ISSC men played in a number of NACB play-off Junior semi-finals against an invincible Philadelphia Tyrone side. In the 90's, the Baileys Cup tournament was hosted by Vancouver's ISSC (Harps) with Calgary, Edmonton, & Seattle teams competing annually.
In 1997, Michelle Boyle arrived in Vancouver and the Harps
Vancouver Harps
The Vancouver Harps are a Gaelic football and Hurling club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club...
had their first Ladies Gaelic Football team. The Ladies games in BC now sets the standard for the Pacific NorthWest, with the Vancouver Harps Ladies perennial winners of any contest between the Wolfe Tones, Chieftains and Seattle Gaels. 2010 may the year that a 2nd Ladies clubs emerges in Vancouver.
2008 the Vancouver Harps were joined in men's competition by the Vancouver Celts
Vancouver Celts
The Vancouver Celts are a Gaelic football club based in Vancouver, Canada. They club represents the Vancouver Irish Sporting & Social Club. The club was formed to spread the playing pool in Vancouver, separating itself from its sister club, the Vancouver Harps...
. While the team was newly founded it attended tournaments both sides of the Rockies in its first season, travelling to Calgary and winning the Vancouver Tournament. On January 21, 2009, the Western Canada Divisional Board unanimously voted for the club's addition to the Division.
Alberta
Jack Bell played senior football for LouthLouth GAA
The Louth County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Louth GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Louth. The county board is also responsible for the Louth inter-county teams....
and emigrated to Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
in 1956. Louth went on to win the All-Ireland in 1957 and Bell took on the role of Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
missionary in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
. Bell, who was named to the Irish Millennium Gaelic All-Star team, formed a team in Edmonton, which folded after a few years due to lack of competition. At that time, a team would have to travel several thousand miles to compete.
In 1975, Christy Whelehan from Westmeath
Westmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
was responsible for the second coming of Gaelic Football with the modern day Edmonton Wolfe Tones
Edmonton Wolfe Tones
The Edmonton Wolfe Tones are a Gaelic football club based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. They play during the summer months with a very active and vibrant group of people involved. The Wolfe Tones are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Jack...
. Christy’s stewardship guided the team through the good and bad years and he still wears the team jersey with pride (2006).
1975 also saw the formation by Mick McKenna of Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
of a team in the boom town of Fort McMurray, AB.
2004 saw a revival of the Northern Albertan outfit with Ronan Deane of Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
spending a number of years in the Oil town.
In 1977, Mike Quirke of Fylemore, Co. Kerry helped start the Calgary Chieftains
Calgary Chieftains
The Calgary Chieftains are an Gaelic football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club grounds and are members of Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
. This was probably the strongest year ever for Gaelic Football in Alberta, with Edmonton hosting a nine a-side tournament. This was contested by no fewer than six Albertan teams, two from Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, two from Fort McMurray, the Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
Chieftains and a team from Red Deer
Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills...
called Éire Óg
Éire Óg (Red Deer)
Red Deer Éire Óg is a Gaelic football club started in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada in April 2007. It is made up of about 20 players.In 2008, the club became a member of Western Canada Division of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
.
The beginnings of Ladies’ Gaelic Football in Edmonton, coincided with Leo Creedon from Cork coaching a team, consisting mainly of University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
students with very few Irish players. Maggie Charlton was the Captain of this first Ladies' team, and she was an Edmonton native. This first year, 1997, saw the Wolfe Tones Women’s team ending their season with a remarkable win over their hosts in Vancouver.
In 2006, Edmonton hosted the Handball
Gaelic handball
Gaelic handball is a sport similar to Basque pelota, racquetball, squash and American handball . It is one of the four Gaelic games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association...
World Championships, featuring hundreds of competitors from all over the world.
2007 saw the Gaelic Games return to Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills...
, with the re-emergence the Éire Óg
Éire Óg (Red Deer)
Red Deer Éire Óg is a Gaelic football club started in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada in April 2007. It is made up of about 20 players.In 2008, the club became a member of Western Canada Division of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association....
. That year they competed in tournaments in both Calgary (twice) and Edmonton, and even hosted their own tournament.
Western Divisional Board - Canada
In the eighties & nineties, with mass-emigration from Ireland, these teams played some very competitive fixtures, with large numbers of Irish-born players dominating each of the teams. Today, only the Edmonton, Calgary & Vancouver clubs remain, with Fort McMurray's team and now Red Deers team threatening to compete. The focus today is development of Canadian born players, with the Ladies Game being a testament to how successful and popular the game can be amongst a 'foreign' population. Structure was required and it came by way of the Western Divisional BoardWestern Divisional Board
The Western Canada Divisional Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is part of the Canadian County Board and is responsible for Gaelic Games in Western Canada. The county board is also responsible for the football, hurling, camogie and Ladies' Gaelic football, known collectively as Gaelic games...
.
The Western Divisional Board
Western Divisional Board
The Western Canada Divisional Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is part of the Canadian County Board and is responsible for Gaelic Games in Western Canada. The county board is also responsible for the football, hurling, camogie and Ladies' Gaelic football, known collectively as Gaelic games...
(WDB) of the Canadian County Board
Canada GAA
The Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Canada GAA, is one of the county boards of the GAA outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games all across Canada. The county board is also responsible for Canadian inter county teams-History:Gaelic games have been played...
(CCB) of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
, represents Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
& Hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
Clubs in the western provinces of Canada. It was founded in 2003.
The WDB organises the Western Canadian Championships
Western Canadian Championships
The Western Canadian Championship is a Gaelic football championship tournament of the Western Divisional Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association, played every year in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada...
, which were first played in 2004