The Irish in BC Seniors’ Lunch took place on December 11th, 2025 at the Pinnacle Hotel in Vancouver, welcoming 115 attendees for what remains one of the most meaningful events in our community calendar.
This annual Christmas gathering is far more than a lunch. For many of our Irish seniors, it is an opportunity to come together, reconnect with old friends, share stories and celebrate the festive season. Live entertainment by Michael Viens and Mary Brunner added to the festive Christmas atmosphere.
We were honoured to welcome Consul General Cathy Geagan, accompanied by Marc Balbirnie, whose presence reinforced the importance of supporting and celebrating our senior Irish community in British Columbia.
A very special highlight of the day was celebrating our most senior attendee, John Larkin, a remarkably spry 101 year old gentleman. John moved to Canada in the summer of 2016 to live with his daughter, Sylvia Martin, and has called Vancouver home ever since. John still makes regular trips back to Ireland, most recently in 2023, the year he turned 100. Born in Dublin, John was reared on Montpelier Hill, near Arbour Hill, and later lived in Walkinstown, Tallaght and Ballymount. John thoroughly enjoyed the lunch and even went home a winner, taking home a bottle of Jameson whiskey – his favourite tipple!
Acknowledgements
This lunch was generously supported by the Emigrant Support Programme grant through the Consulate General of Ireland in Vancouver. Heartfelt thanks go to Geraldine Megannety and Eilis Courtney for their dedication and hard work in coordinating such a successful and meaningful event.
The Larkin Family
Back – left to right
Paul Larkin, Margaret Larkin, John Larkin, Sylvia Martin, Tony Doyle, Denise Doyle
Front – left to right
Margaret McCabe and Kraig Smith
