Publisher’s Statement

Welcome to the latest issue of our magazine celebrating the success of Irish entrepreneurs in Vancouver.

In this inaugural edition of the Irish Abroad Vancouver magazine, we’re thrilled to showcase the incredible achievements of Irish business owners in this dynamic city and highlight the rich cultural heritage and traditions that have contributed to their success.

Over the years, Vancouver has become a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity, attracting ambitious and innovative individuals from all corners of the globe. Among them, Irish entrepreneurs have made a significant impact, bringing their unique perspectives, experiences and talents to the local business landscape.

In this issue, we profile some of the most successful Irish-owned businesses in Vancouver, from construction start-ups to florists, landscapers, publishing and design, and more. We’ll learn about the challenges they faced along the way, the strategies they used to overcome them and the lessons they’ve learned about entrepreneurship in Vancouver’s competitive market.

P4 Meet the entrepreneurial William & Laura Donnellan IRL Group

P6 Who’s Who in the IRL Group

P8 Discovering Vancouver’s Top Attractions

P10 From Cork to Canada- Jason Carton Hyland Landscaping

P12 Into the West, chatting with Cathy Geagan Consul General

P13 The very best of Irish Pubs in Vancouver

P15 History in the Making- Ambassador Eamonn Mc Kee

P16 Business is Blooming with Faye Heaney

P18 Coal Harbour- View of Coal Harbour from Stanley Park

P20 Dave Curtin, designing the perfect work-life balance

P23 Niall Gibbons Tourism Ireland- A new challenge

P24 Top hiking and Outdoor Adventures

P26 Meet Dubliner Trevor Carroll, Senior Director, PressReader

P28 Hit the Beach in Vancouver

P30 A Winter Wonderland- Whistler Ski Resort

P32 Vancouver’s best nightlife and Bars

P34 60 Seconds with Louise Power- “Hair by that Irish Girl”

P35 Cruelty-free hair salon Burke Hair Lounge

P36 ICCCVAN - Meet the Irish team ready to welcome you

P38 Avoca Mills - Celebrating 300 years of business in Ireland

But, it’s not just business that makes Vancouver such a special place. The city’s stunning natural surroundings, diverse communities and the vibrant cultural scene also make it a top destination for tourists from around the world. We also explore some of the most beautiful and fascinating attractions that Vancouver has to offer, from Stanley Park and Granville Island to the city’s many museums, galleries and festivals.

So, sit back, relax and join us on a journey through the world of Irish entrepreneurship in Vancouver and the beauty of tourism in this incredible city. We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together...

Bobby Power

Publisher, Go Wild Magazine titles

Email: bobby@gowildmagazine.com Tel: 087 446 7007

P40 Chatting with Nancy Chilton - Vancouver Attractions

P41 Where to Eat & Sleep in Vancouver

P42 Discover Vancouver

P44 Ireland’s Wild West

P46 Deborah Flood - a Dubliner living in Vancouver

P47 Snowboarding - the ultimate Vancouver challenge

P48 Chatting with Tourism Ireland’s Sandra Moffatt

P50 Discover the Cultural Granville Island

P52 The Iconic BC Place & Science World

P54 Maura De Freitas - The Irish Benevolent Society

P56 The natural beauty of Vancouver Island’s

P58 A weekend with the kids in Vancouver

P60 Discovering Stanley Park

P62 Vancouver’s Best Art Galleries

P64 Deborah Drummond -8 Marathons in 8 days in Ireland

P65 Uncovering Gastown’s History & Culture

P67 Retail therapy Vancouver style

P68 Life in the Great Outdoors

P69 Meeting Celtic Fest’s Director Rachel Quinn

P70 A Day in the Life of Ruairi Spillane. Moving2Canada

Creative Director Dave Curtin, www.brainstorm.ie

Copy Editor Keith Nicol

Accounts & Director Cleo Power, cleo@gowildmagazine.com

Editorial & AD Design: Lynne Clark

Contributors

Editorials: Meg Walker, Keith Nicol A

Chamber of Commerce(ICCCVAN), Former Consul General, Frank Flood & Ruairi