Cultural Groups and Events
Cultural and social groups
- Aisling Society of Sydney
- Celtic Council of Australia
- Irish Brekkie Club
- Irish Mothers Group Down Under
- Irish National Association of Australasia (Pádraig Piarais Branch, Sydney)
- Penrith Gaels Cultural and Sporting Association
Festivals and events
- Irish Cultural Festival at Lake Jindabyne (January)
- Battle of Vinegar Hill Memorial (March)
- Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade & Family Day (March)
- The 1798 Monument at Waverley (Easter Sunday)
- Irish Famine Memorial (August)
- The Turning Wave Festival of Irish and Australian music and the related arts in Gundagai (September)
- Monaro Folk Society and Canberra Set-dancing Weekend (October)
- Fleadh Nua—Irish and Celtic Festival in Goulbourn (Oct-Nov)
Aisling Society of Sydney
The Aisling Society of Sydney was founded in 1950 by the renowned Jesuit priest, teacher and leading Catholic intellectual, William Hackett. Like the INA, its members are dedicated to the promotion of Irish culture in Australia. The Society meets monthly at the Irish Consulate in Sydney.
Celtic Council of Australia
The Celtic Council of Australia was formed on 28th March, 1982 at a public meeting in Sydney of representatives of five of the six Celtic Communities in NSW, but the Council was established with a vision of being over time a more Australia-wide body. Its Incorporation in 2001 at NSW level was a step to improving Australia wide operations. In July 2003 the newly elected Council standing committee voted in principle to in the future reconstitute as a NSW level body, and endorsed a National Constitution which will now go to similar Victorian and Queensland groups for consideration.
The Council has been involved in the launch of the Australian Celtic Journal, development of academic courses at universities and other centres, the instigation of the Australian Standing Stones at Glen Innes NSW, with the Australian Celtic Festival there, the Celtic Australia Day Festival at North Sydney NSW, and recognition of the National Celtic Folk Festival in Geelong, Vic.
Irish Brekkie Club
The Irish Brekkie Club is a monthly gathering of barry's-lovin', soda bread-eatin' lads and lassies who've gained their permanent residency and/or are in the process of settling for the long haul in Australia. The aim is to bring together as many Irish as possible who are in the same boat for a bit of craic, comradery and a regular fix - just a dash - of 'home'. Whether you live for GAA, rarely step foot inside an Irish bar, or prefer just a dash of Irishness in your life - this is the best place to meet a diverse bunch of others who, perhaps like you, have said goodbye to many an Irish friend over the years returning to the Emerald Isle! Join the facebook group 'Irish Brekkie Club', or e-mail us at irishbrekkieclubsyd@gmail.com to be included on the monthly invitation mail-out.
Irish Mothers Group Down Under
The Irish Mothers Group Down Under (IMGDU Sydney) was set up by Caroline, Cin and Elaine - We are 3 Irish mothers who are passionate about our Irish upbringing and would love to exchange with other Irish Mums, their stories, laughs and remedies that were passed onto you from generations past. Finding the right Mothers group can give you an instant social network to share the trials and tribulations of parenthood. We differ from many other mothers groups. How I hear you say! Well, we have one thing that links us all together. We are all IRISH born and reared. Dragged up some might even say. Join the facebook group 'Irish Mothers Group Down Under', or e-mail us at irishmothersgroupdownunder@gmail.com
Irish National Association of Australasia
(Pádraig Piarais Branch, Sydney)
Since its establishment in 1915, the Irish National Association of Australasia Inc. (INA) has worked for the Irish community and cared for the welfare of Irish immigrants in Sydney and throughout the region. Today, the INA still cares for the development of the Irish-Australian cultural activities and the welfare of the Irish people in Australia.
The Irish Gaelic Club, on the first floor of INA House in Devonshire St, Sydney, is the INA's home, and home to several other social and cultural groups who use this venue as their meeting place.
Regular and first-time visitors are welcome to stop by the Four Provinces bar for a drink; book a meeting room for your social group’s monthly meeting or book the club for that special event; ask for a tour of the INA’s famous Albert Dryer Memorial Library.
Penrith Gaels Cultural and Sporting Association
Penrith Gaels began in the early 1970s with the formation of a Gaelic football team. A few dedicated people decided to run dances to fund this team. From then it has gone from strength to strength with the establishment of a hurling side and by the early 1980s they had formed a very successful school of Irish Dancing, social Golf Club, Soccer teams and a Drama School. Penrith Gaels also boasted a travel club, which helped their members save for a trip home to Ireland. The popular clubhouse is in Kingswood, in Sydney’s far west. Apart from regular entertainment and special guests, Penrith gaels hosts a traditional irish sing-a-long every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month: 4pm-8pm
Irish Cultural Festival at Lake Jindabyne (January)
The Irish Cultural Festival at Lake Jindabyne at the foot of the Snowy Mountains is Australia’s premiere Irish cultural festival, attracting the best of Irish traditional musicians from all over Australia and abroad. Activities include music sessions, dance bands, Irish dancing displays, and a GAA family day with ladies football, mens football and hurling.
Battle of Vinegar Hill Memorial (March)
The first battle fought on Australian soil between government troops (with local defence support) and rebel forces was the Battle of Vinegar Hill fought in and around Rouse Hill on 5 March 1804.
Because the ringleaders of the convicts were Irish, the battle became known as the Vinegar Hill Rebellion, or the Battle of Vinegar Hill, after an uprising at Vinegar Hill, in County Wexford, Ireland in 1798. Many Irish political prisoners were sent to Australia after their defeat at that time. Those who chose to fight a second time in search of their own liberty wore the words "Liberty and Equality" on their hat bands as had their countrymen in Ireland.
The exact location of the battle is no longer known, but after an inquiry in 1982, it was agreed that a spot in the Castlebrook Lawn Cemetery would be marked by a memorial.
The monument consists of three plaques — one marks the unveiling, one outlines the details of the battle and the third tells the story of the growth of Australia from 1788.
Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade & Family Day (March)
The Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade is usually held on the third Sunday in March each year. The Parade begins at George St, passes Town Hall and turns into Park St ending at Hyde Park. The Irish Community with their family and friends spend the rest of the day enjoying the best of Irish music, dancing, food and a few beers. The Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade committee also hosts the Sydney St Patrick’s Day Bachelor of the Year competition.
The 1798 Monument at Waverley (Easter Sunday)
The 1798 monument in Waverley cemetery is a magnificent testament to the proud history of the Irish Community in Sydney. It was built in the 1890s from Community donations for the centenary of the 1798 uprising. It stands upon the graves of Michael Dwyer, ‘the Wicklow Chief’—one of the leaders of the uprising who became a prominent member of the Irish community in Sydney—and that of his beloved wife, Mary.
Every Easter Sunday, the Irish Community gathers at the monument to remember Ireland’s long struggle for nationhood and independence. A mass is held to offer prayers for those who have given their lives for the freedom of the Irish people, and to pray for those who still suffer for their freedom—in Ireland and throughout the world.
For many years, the Irish National Association of Australasia (INA) has taken on the responsibility for the monument’s maintenance and accepts donations for its upkeep and repair.
Irish Famine Memorial (August)
The Irish Famine Memorial is located at the top of Macquarie St, in the grounds of the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. The Australian Famine Monument is a memorial to the million or so who died during the famine period. It is a monument to those who survived and in a very special way to the 4,200 famine orphans who arrived in Australia under the Earl Grey scheme (1848 -1850). It is a monument to their success, and recognition of what they contributed to the building of this great country.
The Turning Wave Festival of Irish and Australian music and the related arts in Gundagai (September)
The Turning Wave Festival is an outstanding celebration of Irish & Australian music and the related arts held over five days of stunning events and performances, catering for music & arts enthusiasts, families who wish to enjoy a safe festival, and those who just come to soak up the atmosphere and the friendliness. The Festival is organised and presented by the Turning Wave Festival Committee under the auspices of the Gundagai Regional Enhancement Group Inc and is realised with the assistance and hospitality of the residents, businesses and Shire of Gundagai and, a brilliant team of volunteers.
Monaro Folk Society and Canberra Set-dancing Weekend (October)
The Monaro Folk Society is a non-profit community organisation operating in the ACT-Monaro region providing access to both entertainment and direct involvement in a wide range of folk music, dance, and spoken word activities. The MFS is based in Canberra, Australia.
The Monaro Folk Society organises an Irish Set-dancing Workshop and Céilí weekend every October in Canberra.
Fleadh Nua—Irish and Celtic Festival in Goulbourn (Oct-Nov)
Fleadh Nua is an Irish and Celtic festival of music, song and dance held every November in Goulbourn, NSW. The festival is hosted by Irish Musicians of Sydney, a non profit volunteer organisation whose aim is to promote Irish music, song and dance in Australia, especially NSW and Sydney with an emphasis of motivating children.
