CoAs one of the final events in celebrating 125 years of the GAA, Canadian President Brian Farmer (Clonmore, Armagh) will travel from Toronto, Ontario to gather with GAA members to remember the last founding member of CLG, Joseph P. Ryan, on Saturday December 19, 2009 at a 11:00 a.m. mass in St. Mary's Church in Cranbrook, British Columbia with a wreath laying ceremony to follow at Ryan's grave. The mass will be celebrated by Father Harry Clarke (Bohola, Mayo) and Father Conrado Beloso along with a variety of civic dignitaries in attendance including the Mayor of Cranbrook, Scott G. Manjek, former Mayor of Golden, Jim Doyle (Down), members of a North American fraternal organization Knights of Columbus who are celebrating 125 years in Cranbrook, members of the St. Vincent De Paul Society and former Ministers of the Legislative Assembly. Joseph Patrick Ryan was born in Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary in April 1857. As a solicitor he practised in Callan and Thurles. He would have known Maurice Davin well and that friendship was possibly the reason he attended the meeting in 1884. In 1899 Ryan emigrated and became immersed in British Columbiaís life with the Board of Trade, the Mining Industry, serving as a Police Magistrate as well as a prominent journalist. The attached photo by Terry Segarty (Oldcastle, Meath) was taken recently of Ryan's headstone which was erected by Ryan's grandchildren in May 2000. Segarty will be hosting a dinner on Friday December 18, 2009 in honour of this historic gathering. GAA members confirmed at this time include: Eamonn Kelly (Tipperary) - Public Relations Officer of the North American County Board - Chicago, USA Teresa O'Sullivan (Limerick) - Member of the Ballingarry GAA - IRELAND Pat Lowney (Beara, Cork) - President of the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club Sean Twomey (Coachford, Cork) - Secretary of the Vancouver ISSC Paul Stack (Six Mile Bridge, Clare) - Member of the Vancouver ISSC Thomas O'Flynn (Kilmeedy, Limerick) - Member of Vancouver ISSC and BC/Yukon President of the SSVP Stephen Agnew - Red Deer Eire Og's GFC - AlbertaJohn O'Flynn - Secretary of the Canadian County Board - Member of the Vancouver ISSC For media queries or questions please contact John O'Flynn at [email protected] 1-604-929-1466 or mobile 1-604-803-7232 Nollaig Shona agus Ath-bhliain Faoi Mhaise Daoibh! The Canadian County Board wishes all our members and friends a happy and holy Christmas and a prosperous New Year in 2010. John O'Flynn RnaÌ - Canadian County Board www.canada.gaa.ie www.gaelicfootballforkids.com Tweet

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