The UIS Scholarship is open to Montrealers of Irish descent aged between 18-25, enrolled full-time in a post-secondary school (CEGEP, Trade School, University), and active in helping the Irish Community of our city. The applicant must be in good standing in their respective school.
What is required in the application:
- A short description (250 words or less) of your involvement in the Irish Community, and how your actions are helping improve those within said group.
- 1 letter of reference with contact information from someone who can testify to your community endeavors.
- The most recent school transcript.
- A description of Irish background.
Applications will be accepted each year, with the recipient being announced at the UIS’ General Meeting in September. The recipient will be awarded a $1000 scholarship, as well as a 1-year membership to the UIS. Attendance at subsequent general meetings is not required but would be appreciated.
Application Process:
Applications are available for download and the timeframe for applying is August 15th – August 30th at 6PM.
Candidates meeting all requirements (as outlined on the application) will have their applications forwarded to the Selection Committee and selected no later than September 15th and the winner will be announced. The winner will be presented with their cheque on October 23rd at the General Meeting of the United Irish Societies of Montreal.
Applications can be emailed to:
scholarship@montrealirishparade.com
Selection Process:
- A panel of three (3) members comprising of people from Montreal’s Irish Community will be chosen to decide which of the applicants best represents the values, commitment, and determination of our people, and who shows a concentrated effort to continue to promote our culture.
- The decision will be made no later than September 15th, and the announcement will be made at the UIS’ General Meeting on October 23rd, 2022.
- The winner will receive a cheque for $1000, as well as a one (1) year membership to the UIS.
- The Selection Committee’s decision is final.
- The person chosen cannot run in subsequent years. Those not chosen may reapply in the following years.
All are welcome to join us for the 2023 UIS AGM happening on May 1st at St-Jean Brebeuf church. This will be our first in-person meeting in a while and we will presenting the awards that were missed over the past couple of years and we will also be ushering a new executive for the upcoming year.
Hope to see you there
Applications are now open, all information is available via the link.
The UIS Scholarship is open to Montrealers of Irish descent aged between 18-25, enrolled full time in a post-secondary school (CEGEP, Trade School, University), and active in helping the Irish Community of our city. The applicant must be in good standing in their respective school.
All applications must be received by October 8th at 6PM
September 23rd, 2021
Normally I begin my September reports recounting what I did on my summer vacation and often there is an element related to the history of our community. I can honestly say, other than documenting some UIS archival material and interacting with noted author Alan Hustak, I have done little in that regard. What I did manage to do is safely meet with friends on occasion, visit the pool in the complex almost daily, and walk around the neighbourhood.
We have lost a number of people over the summer. We said goodbye to Catherine Polson, Frances Gillan, Raymond Savard, and our beloved Jane Skelton.
We first got to know Catherine in 2015 when she competed in the United Irish Societies’ annual Selection Evening. At the time I noticed what a good public speaker she was and that she had a pretty good shot at winning the competition. While she lost out to Carly Meredith, Cat got busy as a parade princess and so we saw her at every event, from the more intimate ones to the bigger ones. Quite often princesses and queens fade into the sunset, rarely to be seen again. Cat was an exception, and exceptional. She kept active within the UIS, attended events, volunteered her time for such important work as the Christmas Basket program, and joined our Polar Bear Plunge team benefitting Special Olympics Quebec. I was proud to have her as one of the directors at the St. Patrick’s Society,
Frances Gillan was a quiet and unassuming member of the UIS Entertainment Committee in its heyday. She always without fail gave her 100% in performing for the shut-ins and those who most benefitted from the committee’s volunteerism. In her latter years she retreated gracefully as she battled Alzheimer’s Disease. Though the organization never forgot Frances, the organization is forever grateful for the contributions she made to the United Irish Societies of Montreal and its mission. Sadly, she lost her battle prior to August 15th.
The United Irish Societies of Montreal selected City of Verdun Mayor Raymond Savard as Chief Reviewing Officer of the 1989 St. Patrick’s Parade. While quite often former dignitaries fade away after they are honoured, Mr. Savard continued to be a regular at our activities. He proudly wore his sash when attending the Parade or the Mass of Anticipation. During his son André’s time as Verdun Borough Councillor, Mr. Savard was known to attend the annual Verdun Mayor’s reception as his guest. During his time in office he saw the wisdom in protecting Verdun’s valuable shoreline from real estate developers. All Verdunites and visitors now have a wonderful waterfront to enjoy and it’s thanks to Mr. Savard’s vision. Sadly on July 20th Mr. Savard left this world after a career in business and of public service.
As we all know, a little over a week ago Jane Skelton passed away. She was one of the more senior UIS members in terms of longevity, having joined somewhere around 1990 or 1991 and she was most definitely the most senior Executive Committee member, excluding the past presidents, being named chairperson of the Float Committee in the Spring of 1994 for the 1995 season in the days when UIS members decorated a float pursuant to that year’s parade theme.
She moved over to chair the Membership Committee for the 1996 and 1997 seasons before joining the Elected Executive as Corresponding Secretary (1998 – 2005) and Treasurer (2006 – 2010, 2013 – 2021).
When necessary Jane also stepped in to lead other committees – Christmas Baskets (2012 – 2016) and Entertainment Committee (2000 – 2001, 2005)
She was an entertainer at heart and enjoyed bringing some sunshine into the lives of shutins and those needing a little pick me up through her association with the UIS Entertainment group.
For her years of dedication to the organization, in the Spring of 2019 outgoing president Paul Loftus presented Jane with Gold Card (Life) Membership in the UIS.
I look back now with regret that the organization did not consider her for the Simon McDonaugh Humanitarian Award because, looking back on her time on the Executive, she went about her volunteerism in a quiet and unassuming way much like I am sure Simon McDonaugh did.
I will miss her critters, her bananas, and her presence at meetings and events.
Ken Quinn
Historian – The United Irish Societies of Montreal
historian@montrealirishparade.com
January 31st, 2021
With a heavy heart and careful consideration, the United Irish Societies of Montreal Executive Committee (Organizers of the Montreal St-Patrick Parade) has cancelled the 2021 St. Patrick’s Parade scheduled for March 14th, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At this time, the health and safety of the Montreal community is our greatest priority. We must act in the best interest and well-being of all organizers, volunteers, participants, and spectators. Though we are disappointed to announce the cancellation, we will monitor the situation. If public safety rules allow large gatherings at any point in 2021, we reserve the right to hold the parade on an alternate date.
Montreal’s St Patrick’s Parade has been held since 1824 and the United Irish Societies have had the honour of hosting it since 1929. There is a responsibility to our members, community, history and ensure the continuity of this event and we take this responsibility very seriously.
We thank our members, sister societies, and partners for their support and understanding and we wish you all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, 2021.
Please follow us on our social media account @uismtl and our website www.montrealirishparade.com for further updates over the coming days & weeks.
Kevin Tracey
VP Advertising & Public Relations – The United Irish Societies of Montreal
Organizers of the 198th Montreal St-Patrick’s Day parade
1-514-436-1512
The UIS Scholarship committee met on Sept 4, 2020 to decide on the recipient of this year’s award. As always, it was an arduous task, but ultimately, the winner was chosen.
The United Irish Societies of Montreal, the committee comprising this year of:
- Pat Mulqueen, UIS President
- Tim Furlong, Erin Sports Association President
- Kim Sullivan, Global TV personality
The committee and scholarship founders Lori Morrison and Kayra Morrison are proud to award Aveen Mahon with the 2020 UIS Scholarship Award. Congratulations!
Given the situation with COVID, a formal presentation of the winner will take place at a later date.
Thank you to all who applied, and a huge thank you to this year’s committee.
Official Quebec National Assembly – Petition against the naming of REM Station in Griffintown to be called “Griffintown – Bernard Landry”
Greg Kelley MNA and his aides have helped us word the petition and run through due process and it is now LIVE on the Quebec National Assembly website. The UIS wants to thank Greg Kelley and all of the Irish Organizations in Montreal (Bloomsday Montreal, CINE GAEL, Erin Sports Association, Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation, Soulanges Irish Society, St Patrick’s Society, Young School of Irish Dancing) who have supported this.
We hope you will share this link either by email or share the UIS post on Social Media on the United Irish Societies page.
We have until January 23, 2021 to sign the petition. Please Share !
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE PETITION.
The Petition reads as follows:
WHEREAS more than 3 million Quebecers have Irish origins;
WHEREAS the 1847 Famine brought more than 70000 Irish nationals to Quebec, who were added to Montreal’s then total population of 50000;
WHEREAS French Canadians provided assistance to their new neighbours, through acts of humanitarianism; the clergy, the Soeurs Grises and the Soeurs de la Providence cared for thousands of survivors who arrived in Quebec in a lamentable state after 8 to 10 weeks of transatlantic voyage in poorly outfitted sailing ships;
WHEREAS the Irish found refuge in Quebec and worked hard as labourers and longshoremen in the Champlain neighbourhood of Quebec City and in the Pointe-Saint-Charles and Griffintown neighbourhoods of Montreal;
WHEREAS the late Mr. Bernard Landry, Premier of Quebec from 2001 to 2003, was of Acadian origin and had no ties to Griffintown other than the Cité du Multimédia, located near the proposed site of the REM station;
We, the undersigned, ask the government of Quebec to:
1. Ensure that the names for the REM stations located in the Southwest Borough and Nun’s Island take into consideration the Irish community’s preference; that the former be named “Griffintown” and the latter “Bernard Landry”, to pay tribute to both Mr. Landry and Quebecers of Irish heritage
Important (please read):
– For your signature to count on the petition – YOU MUST VALIDATE your email address after the Petition is signed.
– You will receive an email after signature and YOU MUST CLICK the LINK for the signature to count.
– It is possible it could take several minutes to receive the email (NOTE: it may go to your SPAM folder).
TO ACCESS THE ENGLISH PETITION:
Griffintown has always been important to the Irish Community. From Thomas McCord to Mary Griffin on down through history Griffintown was known as an Irish neighbourhood with its important symbols, buildings, its residents, and history.
The United Irish Societies of Montreal has its origins in Griffintown and St. Ann’s Church. The UIS has always been sensitive to the recognition of Griffintown as an Irish neighbourhood and continues to be sensitive to this recognition as its ongoing gentrification continues. In January, the Irish community met with Valerie Plante to express their displeasure with her recommendation of naming the future REM station to honour the late Premier Bernard Landry.
Today (June 22nd, 2020) the Irish community met once again with the Mayor of Montreal to hear that the name of the REM Station that borders Griffintown to now be named “GriffinTown – Bernard Landry”. This decision was not taken well and was opposed by all Irish communities with great displeasure and was voiced during this call with Mme Plante.
We wanted all of our membership to understand our stance on the matter and we will continue to oppose this decision until the Griffintown station and area are given the recognition it deserves without sharing it with a past Premier of Quebec.
That being said, as a group we must remember that the City of Montreal is a great supporter when it comes to our parade and we want to ensure that we as the United Irish Societies of Montreal remain in good standings with the city so please keep in mind that if you wish to voice your opinion on this matter please feel free to do so but as an individual.
Anything that is to be written on Social Media or spoken to the Public on behalf of the UIS is to be done so by our VP of Advertising & Public Relations – Kevin Tracey.
Thank you and I wish we had better news on this topic
Patricia Mulqueen
Applications are now open, all information is available via the link.
The UIS Scholarship is open to Montrealers of Irish descent aged between 18-25, enrolled full time in a post-secondary school (CEGEP, Trade School, University), and active in helping the Irish Community of our city. The applicant must be in good standing in their respective school.
All applications must be received by August 30th, 2020
Over the last several weeks the Executive Committee of the United Irish Societies of Montreal have been monitoring the COVID-19 situation very closely and have been in discussion with our partners and different levels of government on a daily basis. We have also been discussing the situation with our friends in Irish organizations across the globe and have learned a lot from their experiences. Our goal has been to make the best decision possible to mitigate concerns and to ensure our responsibilities have been met.
Montreal’s St Patrick’s Parade has been held consecutively since 1824 and the United Irish Societies have had the honour of hosting it since 1929. There is a responsibility to our members, our community and our history and ensure the continuity of this event and we take this responsibility very seriously.
With today’s press conference held by the Premier and in collaboration with the City of Montreal we have both deemed it in the best interests of health and safety, Parade participants, and the general public to postpone Montreal’s 197th St Patrick’s Parade. We will be sure to keep all informed of our future plans.
We thank our members, sister societies, and partners for their support and understanding and we wish you all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Please follow us on our social media account @uismtl and our website www.montrealirishparade.com for further updates over the coming days & weeks.
Statement on the 197th Montreal St-Patrick’s Parade. “There are no immediate plans to cancel the 2020 Montreal St-Patrick’s parade by the United Irish Societies of Montreal or the City of Montreal . BUT if the situation of diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in Montreal changes and it is recommended by Health Canada and other governing bodies – the UIS & CIty of Montreal will have to reassess the situation as we move closer to the parade.”
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UNITED IRISH SOCIETIES
OF MONTREAL
Organizers of the St. Patrick’s Parade
PO BOX 97544
Verdun, QC, H4G 3M6
SOCIÉTÉS IRLANDAISES UNIES
DE MONTRÉAL
Organisateurs du Défilé
de la Saint-Patrick
Boîte postale 97544
Verdun QC, H4G 3M6
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