About

About

According to the 2020 census, over 15% of British Columbian’s claim Irish descent. In many ways this is no surprise; Ireland and Canada share a deep history. In 1536, Irish emigrants began travelling to Newfoundland in search of fish. Between 1830-1850, over half a million Irish emigrants landed on the Eastern provinces of Canada. Throughout the 1950’s, 1970’s, and 1980’s Irish people travelled far and wide across Canada, seeking new personal and economic experiences and opportunities.

Since the fall of the Celtic Tiger in 2008, Irish emigration to Canada has grown exponentially with Vancouver becoming one of the most popular destinations amongst Irish emigrants.

Founding the Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce Vancouver   

It is estimated that over 20,000 Irish emigrants reside in the Greater Vancouver area. Despite this large diaspora, in 2017, many people felt that although there was increasing momentum for growing Irish community and businesses within Vancouver, there was something missing: A viable means for connecting and supporting this large group of talented individuals.  A number of Irish people recognized the lack of support and networking opportunities for growing the Irish business community in Vancouver. They reached out to the Irish Ambassador to Canada with the idea of forming a chamber of commerce in Vancouver. With much enthusiasm and support, the Ambassador helped them establish a chamber. This small group would become the founding members of the Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce Vancouver (ICCCVan). We acknowledge the continued financial support of the Emigrant Support Program from the Irish Dept. of Foreign Affairs who continue to contribute to the operating costs of the Chamber.

The ICCCVan maintains close links with our sister chapters in Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal, as well the Irish Consulate in Vancouver and the Irish Embassy in Ottawa.

 

L:R: Founding members of the ICCCVan (Lar Quigley, Ruairi Spillane and Mikey Smyth) pictured with visiting Minister for Defence, Paul Kehoe and Ambassador Kelly

What we do

The ICCCVan is a not-for-profit organization that represents, supports and encourages the Irish business community in Vancouver.

The ICCCVan was created to promote, connect, and support Irish professionals and business owners in Vancouver and support trade development between Ireland and Canada. We are the only Irish professional networking organization in Vancouver, offering members a variety of opportunities to promote their business, as well as numerous opportunities for professional education and development. Through our business community and events, professionals of all levels can grow their networks and seek the support of fellow members.

Our Community

We aim to foster and promote a sense of community and connection among Irish professionals and entrepreneurs living in Vancouver. Are you looking to grow your network and create business opportunities? Become a member today!  Through our member directory and sponsorship opportunities, we support and promote our members’ interests and endeavours.

Are you looking to grow your network and create business opportunities? Become a member today!

Our Mission

Whether you are brand new to the city, established here for a decade, or have a  connection to the Irish community, our mission is the same-to provide value and support to our members by creating business opportunities and connecting talented people throughout Vancouver and beyond. The ICCCVan focuses on the promotion of trade and commerce for Vancouver-based Irish businesses between Canada and Ireland. The Canadian European Trade Agreement (CETA) has created opportunities for businesses to expand into Irish and European  markets. Working within CETA, we work to promote trade and commerce between Ireland and Canada and advance the business interests of our members.

ICCCVan Launch event in May 2018

Meet our Board

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Alan Cosgrave

Treasurer
Originally from Wexford, Alan moved to Canada in late 2012. Alan has served on the board of ICCCVan since 2019 and is the society’s Treasurer. Alan is a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Ireland. Alan is a Partner with MNP LLP in their Enterprise Risk Services practice and works with a variety of clients across Canada to assist them with their risk management needs. Active in the community, Alan is also a board member with CelticFest Vancouver Society and part of the charitable organization 100 Men Who Care.
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Alan Bradley

Vice President
Alan moved to Vancouver in 2012 from Dublin after a few years travelling and working abroad in New Zealand, Australia and Uganda. Before leaving Dublin, Alan spent 4 years working with PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PwC) Management Consulting mainly helping banking clients to survive the financial crisis by raising billions in funding and rebuilding departments. Alan joined Ledcor in 2012 and worked on the Business Improvement team with their Resources and Transportation division. His work involved helping them to scale their fixed wing and rotary businesses, marine towing, trucking and forestry businesses. This included M&A, helping to establish and grow international revenue in Asia and the UK, continuous improvement and system implementations. He left to enter the cannabis industry pre-legalisation with Aurora Cannabis and helping them to expand internationally through M&A and led a number of Finance Transformation projects. He then was involved with a cannabis start up who looked to launch new products into the Canadian market. In his role with the chamber he is looking forward to bringing more events to members and providing great networking opportunities for Irish people to thrive professionally.
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Clare Murphy

Governance Secertary
Clare was born and raised in Dublin, and moved to Vancouver in 2019. Prior to moving, Clare completed a Master’s Degree in Management Consultancy at the Smurfit Graduate Business School and worked in Strategy Consulting at PwC for 3 years. In 2020, Clare joined the Enterprise Business Transformation Team at lululemon, where she managed the Strategic Planning process, conducted Operating Model design projects, and supported International New Market Entry business operations. Clare joined the Strategic Ventures Team at BCAA in 2023, combining her experience as a Strategy & Operations advisor. This role involves identifying new business opportunities, from strategy development through to prototyping and testing opportunities. In her spare time, Clare enjoys snowboarding, fitness classes, and exploring all that BC has to offer.
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Eoin Logan

Eoin Logan

Membership Director

Eoin was born and raised in Cork, Ireland, and came to Vancouver in 2014 after a brief stint in Whistler. Eoin was called to the bar in BC in 2017. He practices in the areas of professional negligence and civil litigation with a particular focus on immigration negligence law.

Eoin Logan works at Meridian Law Group in Vancouver. Eoin has appeared in the Supreme Court and in many of the Provincial Courts all over the Lower Mainland. Eoin has appeared in numerous cases involving different areas of law such as debt collection and negligence with a particular focus on Immigration Negligence.

Away from work Eoin enjoys travelling, trivia, walking his dog and keeping active. On weekends he can be found either hiking up or snowboarding down the local mountains

 
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Feargal Harris

Director of Technology

Feargal Harris, originally from Bray, made a transformative move to Canada in 2014, marking the beginning of a dynamic career journey. With a commendable 7+ years in eCommerce and over a decade dedicated to instigating and implementing lasting results and impactful changes for a specialized construction firm, Feargal brings a wealth of experience to the table.

His education spans a diverse spectrum of skills, covering enterprise software, digital marketing, project management, e-commerce, and business studies. This extensive knowledge base has been honed through hands-on experience in three distinct industries and across three different countries. Feargal is a proven force in achieving results, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a passion for fostering effective teamwork.

Beyond the professional realm, Feargal is a sports enthusiast, finding joy in football (soccer), rugby and the NFL. As a resident of Vancouver, he is gradually exploring and embracing the city’s vibrant culinary scene, evolving into a budding foodie. Feargal Harris encapsulates a unique blend of expertise, motivation, and a genuine love for diverse experiences, making him a valuable asset in any professional or social setting.

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Me

Kate Clarke

Marketing & Communications

Born and raised in East Cork, Kate moved to Vancouver in 2017 after completing an MSc in Marketing & a BCOMM with Chinese Language in UCC. As a strong communicator, Kate is excited about working with the Chamber to lean into her creative side and have fun with the marketing and communications for the annual events and newsletters.

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Mike Murphy

President

Mike Murphy is from Clane, County Kildare Ireland and has been in Vancouver since 2011.

Mike is a dynamic and visionary leader serving as the President of the Irish Chamber of Commerce Vancouver, since 2021. With a passion for fostering business growth and strengthening ties between Ireland and the vibrant business community in Vancouver, Mike brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this pivotal role.

A seasoned professional in business development and sales, he has a track record of driving innovation and success. Having over a decade of experience in the buildings industry he has held key positions in marketing, business development, data and SaaS where he demonstrated strategic acumen and a commitment to excellence.

As the President of the Irish Chamber of Commerce Vancouver, Mike is committed to fostering a collaborative environment that empowers businesses and professionals. He envisions a future where the Irish community in Vancouver thrives, and businesses flourish through meaningful connections and strategic partnerships.

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Richard Harrison

Director of Events

Richard, a Dublin native, relocated to Vancouver in 2013.

 
He recently assumed the role of volunteer Events Director on the ICCCVan board, eager to foster community growth. Open to member input, he welcomes event suggestions and discussions. Alongside his role, Richard serves as a full-time Realtor at RE/MAX Select Realty, offering extensive expertise in the real estate market. Whether you seek a new home, investment opportunity, or property sale, Richard ensures dedicated support throughout the process. With over a decade managing Food and Beverage teams at prestigious hotels like The Fairmont and Shangri-la, Richard brings a wealth of experience.
 
Embracing the Vancouver lifestyle, he indulges his passions for snowboarding, golfing, paddleboarding, and outdoor pursuits.
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