St. Patrick's Society of Montreal

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St. Patrick's Society of Montreal is Canada’s oldest fraternal charity. It was founded on March 17, 1834, in Montreal. The society promotes Irish traditions and culture, represents the Irish-Canadian community when needed, and supports charitable, educational, and cultural activities.

Today, the Society is based in Montreal. Its president is Carol McCormick. In 2024, the organization brought in about 445,672 CAD in revenue and spent about 340,730 CAD. More information is available at its website: spsmtl.com.

A short history
- The society began in 1834, formed by prominent Montreal businessmen who wanted a social and educational group with Irish roots. It was non-sectarian at first and largely supported by Irish Protestants.
- In 1856, Catholics stayed with the original name, while non-Catholic members formed the Irish Protestant Benevolent Society. The groups later moved toward non-denominational roots again.
- Early leaders included John Donnellan, with famous members such as the poet Thomas D’Arcy McGee. McGee was expelled in 1868 for condemning the Fenian movement, but the society later mourned his death.
- The Society helped support Irish-Canadian activities, including the formation of the Irish regiment in World War I and the building and opening of key community sites like St. Patrick’s Church (now the Basilica) and Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery.
- The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was run by the Society until 1916; since then, other organizations have carried on the parade.

In the modern era
- The society has continued to adapt. It helped renew interest in Irish culture through music, language, dance, theatre, and cinema. It supported the creation of the Canadian Irish Studies Foundation at Concordia University, which led to the School of Canadian Irish Studies in 2010.
- In 2009, the Government of Quebec and the society helped organize a major exhibition, “Being Irish O’Quebec,” at the McCord Museum.
- The organization began inviting women as members in 1983, and in 1998 it elected its first woman president, Lynn Lonergan Doyle. Today, membership includes people from many professions who share an interest in Irish culture and community service.

What the Society does now
- The annual events include the Charity Ball, the St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon, a Christmas concert, and a golf tournament. These events raise funds to support the Society’s work and other Montreal charities.
- The Society maintains an endowment to fund its activities and to support cultural and educational programs that are open to all people.
- Its work includes scholarships, charitable giving, and community outreach, helping both Irish and non-Irish residents of Montreal.

The St. Patrick’s Society of Montreal remains true to its roots—fostering Irish culture and supporting the broader Montreal community through education, charity, and tradition.