Irish Night on the Hill, 2024
Irish Night on the Hill
On Wednesday November 27th, the Embassy of Ireland to Canada, in partnership with the Canada Ireland Interparliamentary group, hosted the 4th annual Irish Night on the Hill.
Guest of honour, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was joined by over 400 guests from Parliament, the Diplomatic corps, and the Irish Community leadership, who travelled from Toronto, Montreal, Quebec ,Ottawa, and the Ottawa Valley.
Political guests included the Executive Committee of the Canada Ireland Interparlimentary group, chaired by James Moloney MP, the Minster for Defence Bill Blair, Minister for Mental Health Ya’ara Saks, Minister for International Development Ahmed Hussen, Leader of the Bloc Quebecois Yves-François Blanchet and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Ali Ehsassi.
The Prime Minister spoke passionately and warmly about the strong and enduring ties between Ireland and Canada, the deep friendship between our two countries, and the important contributions of Irish Canadians in the formation of Canada and Canadians in the Northern Ireland Peace Process. The Prime Minister also highlighted the strong and growing business links between both countries.
Referencing Irish Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, PM Trudeau spoke of the number of times over the past where the “hopes and histories of Canada and Ireland have rhymed” and hoped that both countries will continue to “weave their stories together and remain the very best of friends”.
Ambassador Concannon spoke about the significance of Canada as a beacon of hope for Ireland. Paying tribute to both Irish and Canadian Peacekeepers, the Ambassador highlighted Ireland and Canadas shared values, promoting peace, justice and human rights, as well as Irelands membership of the European Union.
Team Ireland was in full force with senior officials from IDA, Enterprise Ireland, and Tourism Ireland all present. Ireland’s diplomatic team in Canada was well represented by the Consul Generals from Vancouver and Toronto, in addition to Hon Con Quebec Brian O Gallagher, who joined the Embassy Ottawa team on the night.
Excellent quality music and entertainment was provided by the Leahy Band, and dancers from the Sue Fay Healy School of Irish Dance, as well as Pat Marshall, Harpist (also member of Ottawa Irish Seniors). Tourism Ireland sponsored the raffle prize of a holiday to Ireland including return flights, a castle stay and car hire. WestJet sponsored a number of return flights from Canada to Ireland. Glendalough Whiskey and Five Farms Cream Liqueur provided tastings, and the Tree of Life Food Company provided tables of Irish cheeses, as well as over 600 oysters provided by ‘Jesse the Oyster Shucker’.
Irish Night on the Hill 2024 certainly was a night to remember!
You may also be interested in these articles
11 June 2026
Launching Ireland's Diaspora Strategy
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, visited Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto for a series of engagements with Canadian political counterparts, business leaders and diaspora leadership. The Minister also launched Ireland’s International Sports Diplomacy Strategy and Diaspora Strategy in Canada.
Read more
16 April 2026
Bord Bia Canada Market Visit
On the 14th and 15th of April, a Bord Bia delegation, accompanied by Ambassador John Concannon, travelled to Canada for an depth market visit, consisting of meetings with key clients and important product announcements.
Read more
12 March 2026
St. Patrick's Day Reception 2026 with Prime Minister Mark Carney
On Wednesday 11 March at the Official Irish Residence, the Embassy of Ireland held an official reception to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Joined by the Minister for Social Protection, and Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, TD, Ambassador John Concannon and Mary Concannon hosted a range of guests from the Guest of Honour, The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada as well as Canadian Government Ministers, Officials, Ambassadors, prominent Irish community leaders, and friends of the Embassy.
Read more
10 March 2026
Ottawa, Quebec and Atlantic Canada Irish Events
List of Irish cultural and social events in Ottawa and the National Capital region, Quebec and Atlantic Canada
Read more