O'Gala McCord 2009

It is on a beautiful and warm May evening that guests of the McCord O'Gala 2009 arrived at Marché Bonsecours to celebrate the importance and vitality of the Irish community in Montreal.

The evening began with a champagne cocktail featuring an oyster bar nestled under a towering arrangement of blooming apple tree branches. Our patron of honour, Premier Jean Charest, and his wife Michèle Dionne mingled with our copresidents Daniel and Pierre Marc Johnson, the mayor of Montreal Gérald Tremblay, and close to 360 guests.

As an Irish bagpiper set the mood, partygoers were led through a forest and into the ballroom which revealed a sumptuous décor featuring candlelit tables decorated with dark shades of taffeta and orchid centerpieces.

The team from Dansereau Traiteur prepared a delicious meal with an Irish twist... Leg of Lamb braised in Guinness, whisky croustillant ... and provided outstanding service.

Guests started dancing early to the music of Paul Chacra. Premier Jean Charest and Messieurs Johnson shared touching stories of their Irish roots and of the history of the Irish in Quebec all the while making everyone smile with their repartee.

The evening ended with a raffle of exceptional prizes...stays in Irish manors and castles, golf at magnificent resorts, jewelry and Irish crystal!

We also witnessed the beginning of a new tradition at the McCord with the organization of the Young McCord Gala. Close to 200 young men and women, the museum's future benefactors, transformed the Gala cocktail room into a party suite and celebrated in great style as they helped the museum achieve its fundraising goals.

We would like to thank the Gala Committee and it's president Madame Sylvie Chagnon as well as the Young McCord Gala Committee and it's copresidents Alexandra Schwarz and Chloe Aucoin for their outstanding work and dedication to the McCord Museum.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the patrons present that evening as well as to our donors and sponsors for their generosity. They enabled the Museum to raise close to $200 000.

Major Sponsors

Air Canada
Elegant Ireland
Peter McConnell
SAQ
Sid Lee
Tourism Ireland

Sponsors