The year-long celebrations of St. Patrick’s Home and its 150 years in Ottawa enjoyed a special wrap-up party filled with festive Irish music, food and drink at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday.
Ambassador Ray Bassett and his wife, Patricia, co-hosted with successful Irish-born Ottawa businessman Pat Kelly, and his wife, Laurie, a benefit party called Shamrocks & Shenanigans.
Clik here to view.
Irish Ambassador Ray Bassett makes a toast with a pint of Guinness, of course, at a benefit evening held at his official residence in Rockcliffe Park on Thursday, October 1, 2015, in support of the St. Patrick’s Home and its 150 years in the community.
Clik here to view.
From left, Christine Dewar with her mom, Laurie Kelly, and Jennifer Poland at the Shamrocks & Shenanigans benefit for the St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation, held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, October 1, 2015.
Renaissance woman Pat Marshall resurrected her role as Mother McGinty, from the bygone Bytown days of canal building. She welcomed arriving guests at the door with her usual exuberant charm while volunteer Aydin Suatac was the mischievous-making leprechaun.
Inside, with the Guinness and whiskey flowing, more than 200 attendees helped themselves to such dishes as Irish lamb meatballs, P.E.I. oysters, pheasant blueberry sausages and a selection of cheeses, including Dubliner-aged cheddar. The stately home in Rockcliffe Park was also filled with live Irish songs, fiddle playing and step dancing.
The evening raised $58,000 for St. Patrick’s Home, a 288-bed long-term care residence located on Riverside Drive. It has a long and proud history as one of the oldest homes for the aged in Ontario. It was founded in 1865 by the Grey Sisters to help the orphaned and elderly.
On hand was Ruth Catana, executive director of the St. Patrick’s Home Foundation. Also seen were Ottawa lawyer Larry Kelly, Glebe grocer Jim McKeen, Royal LePage Team Realty owner Kent Browne and Ottawa artist Katerina Mertikas, who donated one of her paintings to help the cause. Also on the auction block was a seven-night trip for two to the Emerald Isle.
Clik here to view.
Ruth Catana, executive director of the St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation, with her husband, Renzo Catana, at the Shamrocks & Shenanigans benefit held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, October 1, 2015.
Clik here to view.
From left, lawyer Larry Kelly, who prevoiusly led a major St Patrick’s Home capital campaign, and Kevin Pidgeon, chief operating officer of Nautical Lands Group, spiced up their attire with a green beaded necklace handed out to guests at the Shamrocks & Shenanigans benefit for the St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at the Irish ambassador’s residence. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)
The evening was hosted by CTV’s Michael O’Byrne. The room raised a glass in memory of his former colleague, legendary broadcaster, community leader and St. Pat’s supporter Max Keeping, 73. He passed away that day after a long battle with cancer but, Around Town was told, his vivacious spirit could still felt dancing the night away to the Dan Dunlop Band.
Clik here to view.
From left, Linda Uniac, Mike Robinson, Mary Browne and Kent Browne, with Royal LePage Team Realty, were out supporting the St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation at its benefit held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, October 1, 2015.
Clik here to view.
Pat Marshall played the role of Mother McGinty as she greeted guests, including Larry Kelly and his wife, Lourdes, to the Shamrocks & Shenanigans evening held in support of the St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at the official residence of the Irish ambassador.
Clik here to view.
Ruth Catana, executive director of the St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation, with her husband, Renzo Catana, at the Shamrocks & Shenanigans benefit held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, October 1, 2015.
Clik here to view.
From left, Marley Mullan and Michaela Mullan, both fiddlers and stepdancers, along with their sister, pianist Molly Mullan, performed at the Shamrocks & Shenanigans benefit for the St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation, held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, October 1, 2015.
Clik here to view.
Aydin Suatac in a very frame-worthy pose at the Shamrocks & Shenanigans evening held Thursday, October 1, 2015, at the Irish ambassador’s official residence in Rockcliffe Park in support of the St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation.
Clik here to view.
Well-known Ottawa painter Katerina Mertikas donated one of her works, Enjoying a Walk in Autumn, for live auction to help raise funds for the St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation at its Shamrocks &Shenanigans party held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, October 1, 2015.
Carolyn001@sympatico.ca
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
