Celebrating a champion of Irish-Canadian education

Brian O’Neill Gallery, BA 57, LLD 10, knows a few people in high places — including former Canadian prime ministers Brian Mulroney and Paul Martin as well as former premier of Quebec Jean Charest. His impressive network and gregarious personality helped Gallery and his fellow Canadian Irish Studies Foundation trustees raise more than $8 million in 15 years for the School of Canadian Irish Studies at Concordia University.

More than 225 supporters and friends came to Montreal’s Centre Mont-Royal on October 24 to honour the long-time foundation chairman. They were treated to a short video tribute from Mulroney, Martin and Charest, as well as a lovely rendition of “Danny Boy” by local chanteuse and Concordia Department of Music instructor Beverly McGuire.

In this video, Concordia Department of Journalism student Adrian Sousa interviews Gallery as well as Pamela McGovern, gala committee chair; Michael Kenneally, principal of Concordia’s School of Canadian Irish Studies; and Ray Bassett, ambassador of Ireland to Canada. The video captures some of the event’s highlights, including an address from Concordia President Alan Shepard.