From March 10 through St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, the St. Thomas University Irish Society celebrated Irish heritage and culture in Fredericton.
The events hosted by the society went from an Irish-themed trivia at O’Hickeys, a night of Fredericton Pub Choir karaoke at Picaroons, to an Irish film screening at STU.
On March 17, the STU Meal Hall will also offer students and faculty an Irish meal.
The Irish week was also celebrated in the Fredericton community with events like Six Nations Rugby at O’Hickey’s Irish Pub, accompanied by Irish Flag raisings at the Fredericton City Hall and the Provincial Legislature.
Nicolas De L’eveille, president of the Irish Society, shared his enthusiasm for Irish Week and what it means for the preservation of Irish culture in the province.
“I think it’s important to celebrate everyone,” he said. “They always say, ‘Oh, you’re Irish for a day, for St. Patrick’s Day.’ But, for myself … it’s something to be proud of.”
De L’eveille shared that one of the best moments of celebrating Irish culture is the music.
“Everyone thinks of green beer and Guinness, but for me, it’s listening to the Wolfe Tones or Irish Rovers or the Dubliners,” he said. “The music for me is my sticking point.”
Kasey Goodine, social media coordinator of the Irish Society, said that New Brunswick has been a hotspot for Irish immigrants for years.
“Even if they did not speak Irish, they were still kind of conformed with the culture,” he said.
Goodine said that these events are important to preserve the language. He also believes that Irish literature helps to understand their country and people.
“Oscar Wilde went right down the street here,” said Goodine. “It’s the fact that the Irish have had an influence on the things we watch, the things we need … and I think it’s something to acknowledge.”
De L’eveille also highlighted the importance of Irish storytelling and surrealism.
“If you think about it, the way the Irish tell a story, it’s magical. You can close your eyes and just listen,” he said. “You’re like, ‘Okay, only the Irish can do that’ and I think that’s what makes it even better.”
The members said that after the COVID-19 pandemic, it was difficult to plan a week full of events accessible on campus to bring everyone together.
“It’s the first time we actually got [the] Irish society back, full-fledged. It was brought back from the dead,” said De L’eveille.
