St. Pat’s gala in top form

Charity ball benefits West Island Palliative Care Residence

Montreal’s Irish community may not be the largest in the land, but it definitely makes up for size in spirit. For proof, one need only take a peek into the excitement and overall fabulosity that routinely animates the partyscape at the community’s annual St. Patrick’s Charity Ball, proudly presented by the St. Patrick’s Society of Montreal, where notably, Montrealers of all backgrounds and origins, are often as keen to participate in the festivities honouring St. Patrick’s Day as their Irish-bred counterparts! This year’s edition, held at the evergorgeous Mount Royal Chalet at the lookout, stayed true to form, attracting a crowd of more than 350 revellers who couldn’t wait to don their best formal wear and get the party started with an elegant cocktail. Post-cocktails, where guests also had an opportunity to peruse the seductive silent auction, the well-turnedout crew made their way into the dining room for the rest of the evening’s celebrations.

Dinner, prepped with love and attention to flavour by the first-rate culinary team at Eventure, wowed collective palates with traditional Irish and local favourites, including Irish potato and leek soup, cabbage salad in a delectable Quebec maple vinaigrette, slow-roasted prime rib, veggie Irish stew, and topping it all off, bittersweet chocolate Irish whiskey cake and traditional Irish coffee for dessert.

ENTERTAINMENT WAS EQUALLY INSPIRED

The Quatuor Trad de Montréal string quartet performed to great acclaim during cocktails, the now-famous Bernadette Short School and Celtic Grace Dancers dazzled during dinner, gifted performers from La R’Voyure

Projet Trad, Les Phénix and the Montreal Highland Dancers added to the mix with their talents, the Director’s Showband provoked lots of letting loose into the wee hours, and, rounding out the wow, the beloved Celtic band, Solstice, had partiers in their thrall from the moment they took to the stage at the witching hour, with the opening of Hurley’s Irish Pub.

Predictably, guests were head over heels, counting among their festive ranks: St. Patrick’s Society president Scott Phelan attending with wife Paula; the eve’s honorary co-chair Teresa Dellar, executive director of the eve’s beneficiary, West Island Palliative Care Residence, on scene with husband Gavin Fernandes; honorary cochairs, the Hon. Pierrette Sévigny, a retired Quebec Superior Court Justice and husband Richard McConomy, president of St. Patrick Square; new Irish ambassador to Canada Jim Kelly with wife Anne Martin; honorary consul general of Ireland, Dr. Michael Kenneally, principal and chair of Concordia’s School of Irish Studies; Russell Copeman, borough mayor of Côte-des-Neiges-NotreDame-de-Grâce, representing Mayor Denis Coderre, attending with wife Beverly Ackerman; German Society president Dr. Gisela Steinle with husband Richard Darling; Baroness Antoinette von Hahn with Jason MacCallum, vice-president of St. Andrew’s Society; Erin Sports Association president Tim Furlong with wife Kim Lampitt; Irish Protestant Benevolent Society president Mike Nelson with wife Biliana Kovasevic; United Irish Societies president Danny Doyle and wife Cathy; Colonel Darcy Molstad with wife Jody Foster; Bishop Thomas Dowd; parade queen Mary Lynne Loftus with princesses, Catherine Barnwell, Robin Brodrick, Meagan Coleman and Sydney Légaré; and MNA Geoff Kelley, with wife Judy Harper.

In closing, big beer cheers are in order for awesome organizers like ball committee chair Scott Phelan, immediate past-president Jim Killin, vice-presidents Christie Brown, Ken Quinn, and Pat Short, treasurer Laurie Bennett, and committee members Marie Cook, Kim Hogan, Sheila Showers, and Katie Irving, who along with generous sponsors including Enviro Air, EVO, Hurley’s Irish Pub, Irish Embassy Pub & Grill, Loyola High School, McCarthy Tétrault, National Bank, Power Corporation, Royal Bank and Ville de Montréal, stopped at nothing to ensure the success of yet another steamy green St. Pat’s machine that raised ample funds for this year’s beneficiary, the West Island Palliative Care Residence. Bravo!

PHOTOS: INTERNATIONAL PHOTO IMAGING The Director’s Showband unleashes the steamy green dance machine at the annual St. Pat’s Charity Ball.

POWER TO THE ROYAL COURT: Parade princesses Meagan Coleman, Catherine Barnwell, her highness, queen Mary Lynne Loftus, and princesses Sydney Légaré and Robin Brodrick pose prettily for the glamcam.

DAZZLING DUO: Dancers Lucas Lawton and Katie Gulycz dazzle at the annual St. Pat’s Charity Ball.

CAN YOU FEEL THE FAB? Dancers dazzle at the annual St. Pat’s Charity Ball.

TABLESIDE: Guests Eramelinda Bouquer, Col. Darcy Molstad, wife Jody Foster, Laurie Bennett, and love Dave Supleve smile big.

SULLI GOES GREEN: Global goddess Kim ‘Sulli’ Sullivan steps it up in a forest green strapless column.

POWER HOUR: Hon. co-chairs Teresa Dellar, and Hon. Pierrette Sévigny share a floral moment with Bishop Thomas Dowd at the annual St. Pat’s Charity Ball.

HELLO MR. PRESIDENT: Black-tie perfect Paula Kelly-Phelan and husband, St. Patrick’s Society president Scott Phelan, outside the chalet.

St. Patrick’s Society president Scott Phelan, new Irish ambassador to Canada Jim Kelly, and borough mayor Russell Copeman, representing Denis Coderre, unite for a photo.

COZY COUPLE: Elegant Leigh Ann Killin and decorated officer Jonathan Tremblay enjoy festivities at the annual St. Pat’s Charity Ball.

WELL-SKIRTED ENTRANCE: Baroness Antoinette Von Hahn and St. Andrew’s Society president Jason MacCallum make their way into dinner.