139 years ago, on March 12th, 1877 in London, Ontario, Canada, a small group of Irish born and others of Irish descent from different religions and politics organized The Irish Benevolent Society of London. The Catholics belonged to the St Patrick’s Benevolent Society and the Protestants came from various local Orange Lodges. Its purpose was, and remains, to provide an opportunity in the London area for the Irish and their descendants of all faiths, and their friends, to work together in harmony for the purpose of preserving their Irish heritage and performing works of benevolence.
The founding Organization has gone through various corporate changes over the years and most recently has been incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. However built into the “Certificate of Incorporation” and the “General By-Laws” is the continuation of the founding principles that the governance of the Organization will be shared equally between members of the Catholic and Protestant faiths. At the election of officers it has been a rule of the Irish Benevolent Society and shall so continue that Presidents shall be alternately Protestant and Catholic. The ability of this group to work in harmony to the benefit of their community continues to provide a fine example of mutual respect.
Membership in the Society is open to all Irish and their descendants, without qualification. It is not uncommon for members to come from various generations of a family. For instance six members of the Carson family have held the position of President at various times in the Society’s history. Its Past-Presidents have come from a variety of backgrounds, including military, academic, legal, clergy and business, and are a “who’s-who” of London and Area’s citizens. Most recently, the current Irish Ambassador to Canada, the Honourable Dr Ray Bassett, was proclaimed as the Society’s Honourary Past-President in recognition to his service to the Irish Diaspora in Canada and in particular to his personal support of the Irish Benevolent Society of London & Area.
In March 2000, the Society’s history became the subject of a book entitled “The Luck of the Irish in Canada: A History of the Irish Benevolent Society of London and Middlesex” by Gordon J. Sanderson. The book’s introduction (page xxvii) speaks to the breakdown of traditional divisions:
“…for the Irish sustained by their deeply held faith and characteristic optimism, the freedom and unity of purpose in building new communities eventually caused Old Country antagonisms to heal and religious divisions to dissipate.”
Many organizations and individuals have benefited from the Society’s benevolence during its long history. Recent awards include an annual bursary to the most proficient male and female student at St. Mary’s Choir School, a bursary to three graduates of Huron University College (Anglican), and similar awards to graduates of St. Peter’s Seminary, London (Catholic). Also monies have been presented to biomedical research (Lawson Health Research Institute, the Ovarian Cancer Run), historical societies such as Fanshawe College (Corbett Tavern) and the Donnelly Museum (Lucan). Finally, the Irish Benevolent Society continues to support local Irish dancers through its support of the Forest City Feis which is an international Irish dance competition held annually in London.
Celebrating March 17th continues to be the highlight of the Society’s annual activities. Every year 300-400 Irish (“adopted” Irish) of London & Area get together for our annual traditional Irish lunch with traditional Irish music and song and of course, Irish dancing. Next year’s event continues at the Carousel Lounge at the Western Fairgrounds.
For more information, our website is http://www.irishbenevolentsociety.ca/ and we can also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/IrishBenevolentSociety/?fref=ts.
