The Irish Association of Manitoba

In the mid/late sixties a number of new Irish immigrants arrived in Winnipeg. They came from Dublin and pretty well every county of Ireland. While settling into their new lives in Canada they still felt a need to get together and celebrate their heritage and some of the social interconnection that they had with family and friends back home. Thus the Irish Association of Manitoba was formed in 1972. The founding president was Aiden O'Brien. Since then the Association has become a centre for not only those who started it but immigrants from Ireland. The founders also wanted an outlet so that they could pass their culture along to the following generations. The founding members were all committed to a place for all Irish to meet and socialise. They founded the club on the basis of non-political, non-sectarian and not-for-profit. There was a strong desire to avoid importing troubles and disharmony being experienced in Ireland at that time. The club then initiated a number of groups and activities.