Jeff Spender
This year we have the opportunity to celebrate in full measure the festivities that encompass the 11th Brisbane Irish Festival.
The Queensland Irish Association, founded in 1898, is, as Rodney and Robin Sullivan observed in the 2021 Irish Festival Program, “the leading custodian of Irish culture and heritage in Queensland. Its Library contains some 200 books in Gaelic, and a facsimile copy of the Book of Kells. The value of its heritage collections was recognised by the National Museum of Australia in its 2011 Exhibition: Not Just Ned: A History of the Irish in Australia. QIA contributions included stained-glass doors from Tara Hall, a memorial harp, and a Pipe Band kilt, cap and Tara brooch.”
The QIA will take great pride in participating in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, after it was cancelled for the past two years because of Covid.
The QIA, despite Covid, was able to hold St. Patrick’s Eve Dinners on March 16 in 2020 and 2021, as it has in almost every year since its foundation in 1898.
Last year, while many non-QIA events were cancelled, the QIA welcomed the Governor of Queensland, the Premier of Queensland, and the Ambassador of Ireland, to this Celebration for the Feast Day of St. Patrick, along with many Members of the QIA and guests.
Once again the QIA will celebrate the St. Patrick’s Eve Dinner, at the Pullman Hotel, King George Square, on Wednesday, 16 March 2022. The impending Federal Election will add a little bit of spice to the evening for our Federal politician guests.
We will be represented at the St. Patrick’s Day Mass at the Cathedral of St. Stephen.
The QIA will stage the St. Patrick’s Day Gathering at West’s Rugby Club, Sylvan Road, Toowong from 12 noon, with a highlight being some Irish Favourites from the Queensland Irish Choir, together with an enthusiastic Sing-a-Long.
The QIA has had an energetic 12 months to date, including the outright purchase of a first-class commercial premises in Fortitude Valley, and a very healthy balance sheet.
We would like to express our thanks to the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for their tireless efforts organising this wonderful event
We will also play our part in making the 2022 Brisbane Irish Festival a great success.
Jeff Spender
President of the Queensland Irish Association