Irish Famine Orphan Girls Commemoration
The Irish Famine Orphan Girls Commemoration event this year will mark the 175th anniversary of the last three ships of the Earl Grey Scheme to arrive in Melbourne (the Diadem, Derwent and Eliza Caroline in 1850).
This is a free event. All welcome.
WHEN: Sunday 23 November 2025, 2-4pm (live music from 1.30pm)
WHERE: Famine Rock, Burgoyne Reserve, The Strand (near Stevedore Street), Williamstown
Film Screening: Na Trí Céilithe (The Three Concerts)
The Wild Geese Hotel – Sunday 23 November – 3pm
Join us for a screening of Na Trí Céilithe (The Three Concerts), a short dance film that blends memory and movement to reimagine the vibrant Gaelic concerts held by Melbourne’s Irish diaspora in the early twentieth century. In the absence of archival footage, the film takes a bold leap – reinterpreting céilí dances through a contemporary lens to explore how tradition can live and breathe in the present.
Afterwards, hear from a panel of creatives and cultural scholars – dance artist Rhys Ryan, multi-instrumentalist and composer Dr Matthew Horsley and dance scholar Dr Jeanette Mollenhauer – as they unpack the film’s creative process, its dialogue between heritage and innovation, and the power of dance and music to evoke collective memory.
Perfect for lovers of film, Irish dance, and stories that connect past and present
This is a free event – registration is required.
What’s On at the Celtic Club Melbourne
The Celtic Club is an organization that celebrates and supports pride in Irish heritage and culture, as well as the broader Celtic community. We provide opportunities for our members and guests to benefit from, learn about, and enjoy Gaelic language, Irish music, art, culture, and more.
For further information please visit us here:https://www.celticclub.com.au/whats-on
Ceoltóirí Naarm
This group of very young and very talented musicians are worth supporting.
The Beauty Queen of Leenane – Saturday 13 – 22 November
Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group presents the Martin McDonagh play “The Beauty Queen of Leenane”
The production runs from 13 –22 November at Strathmore Community Hall, 50 Loeman St., in Strathmore. From the STAG website, “Set in the mountains of Connemara in County Galway, the play tells the darkly comic tale of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely Irish woman in her early forties, and Mag, her manipulative aging mother, whose interference in Maureen’s first and possibly final chance of a loving relationship sets in motion a train of events that leads inexorably towards the play’s terrifying conclusion.” Tickets are $25 or $20 concession, and are available at the Strathmore Theatre Arts Group website, http://www.stagtheatre.org, or contact 0493 166 774.
Gaeilge Brisbane agus Preab Ghaeltacht Brisbane
Gach coicís, tagann grúpa díograiseach le chéile chun gaeilge a labhairt agus ceangal a dhéanamh leis an gcultúr i gciorcal comhrá in Woolloongabba, Brisbane. Is ciorcal é seo ina bhfuil neart léibhéil agus tá fáilte roimh éinne ina bhfuil suim acu sa teanga agus a bhfuil fonn orthu an méid gaeilge atá acu a úsáid. Ciorcal sóisialta, cairdiúil, neamhfhoirmiúil atá ann agus tá beim ar an labhairt ach go háirid.
Chomh maith leis sin, tá Preab Ghaeltacht ar siúl i Gilhooley’s Bar ar gach Domhnach deireannach den mhí. Buail isteach agus usáid an méid geailge atá agat!
Breis eolais le fáil anseo.
Each fortnight, a committed and enthusiastic group convene at Woolloongabba, Brisbane, to connect with the Irish language and culture. The group consists of many levels of fluency and all who are interested in the language and wish to speak are very welcome. It is an informal, friendly, social group with an emphasis on connection and on using the language.
Furthermore, a Pop-Up Gaeltacht convene on the last Sunday of the month at Gilhooley’s Bar, Brisbane for the same purpose. Come and join and put your Irish language to work!
See here for more information.
Sunday sessions (Canberra Irish Club)
Musicians and singers are invited to express their talents and to entertain patrons of the Canberra Irish Club on Sundays from 2- 4pm
Find out more here
Sunset Celtic Music Session at the Chelsea Yacht Club – Sunday 30 November
The next Sunset Session of Celtic Music will be held at the Chelsea Yacht Club on Sunday 30th November from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. These sessions are held on the last Sunday of each month and all are welcome. Even if you don’t play an instrument, come along and listen to the tunes and songs. There is a $5 cover charge, and children are free. The club bar will be open, but feel free to BYO snacks and nibblies. For more information, contact Jim at 0400 267 894.
Comhaltas Christmas Party – Wednesday 17 December
Details to follow, but SAVE THE DATE for our Melbourne Comhaltas Christmas party,
which will be on Wednesday 17 December at St.Philip’s, Abbotsford. Celebrate the end of another wonderful year of Comhaltas music and friendship.
Lake School of Celtic Music, Song & Dance – 2 -7 January 2026
Bookings are open for the 2026 Lake School of Celtic Music, Song & Dance! This fantastic,
family oriented event, modelled on the Willie Clancy Summer School, runs from 2 – 7
January every year in Koroit. Workshops all day, seisiúns and concerts at night. Great craic
for the whole family! An earlybird 10% discount applies for bookings prior to 31 August. For
the 2026 program and booking: https://lakeschool.com.au.
Comhaltas Irish Dance Weekend in Queenscliff – 16 -18 January 2026
We’re excited to welcome Paul Carras our special guest tutor. Meet & greet on the Friday night, workshops and céilís on Saturday and Sunday. Music by the Melbourne Comhaltas Band. Prices range from $20 for just the Sunday céilí to $55 for the full weekend. Limited accommodation available at the Whitehall Guest House. For more info., contact Johanna O’Reilly at 0428 564 266 or jtor3501@gmail.com
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2026 Canberra Irish Language Summmer School January 24-26
The Canberra Irish Language Association (CILA) is running a three day summer school, Scoil Samhraidh Canberra, over the Australia Day long weekend 24 to 26 January 2026.
Scoil Samhraidh Canberra 2026 is an immersive course of Irish language and ‘craic’ (fun) over the Australia Day Long Weekend. Come and improve your Irish language skills with teachers from Ireland and Australia.
The key activity of the weekend will be Irish language classes.
Other Irish activities provide a break in a friendly atmosphere. These include opening with the official reception on the Friday night (all attendees are invited), followed on subsequent evenings with singing, tin whistle, music and dance. Informal sessions continue until late. Come and join the fun. Bring your instrument and join in!
The school is open to adults from across Australia:
- complete newcomers to the Irish language
- those who want to improve their Irish, for example those who learned it at school
- fluent speakers who want to meet to converse in Irish and to help others learn.
There will be classes at four (or perhaps more) levels to suit the Irish language skills of the participants.
A long weekend of Gaeilge, culture and craic!
Canberra Irish Club, 6 Parkinson St, Weston, ACT
Dates:
Welcome Reception Friday 23 January (6:30pm to 8:00pm) at:
To be confirmed. Please see your welcome e-mail closer to the event.
Scoil Samhraidh 10am Saturday 24 January to 5:30pm on Monday 26 January 2026 (Australia Day).
Timetable
The Scoil Samhraidh Timetable (draft) will be attached to your Weclome Email before the event.
Registration and orientation
Registration and orientation is from 4:30pm on Friday 23 January 2026. At the Canberra Irish Club.
Accommodation: This is a non-residential course. Prospective attendees should book their accommodation before paying their fees for Scoil Samhraidh.
Advice on accommodation options is available on request.
Meals:
Your fees for the school cover morning and afternoon teas only. Lunch, dinner and refreshments will be available for purchase from the Canberra Irish Club, or from one of the many restaurants at the nearby Weston Creek Shopping Centre
Costs:
Weekend: $240
Last Minute Booking $252 (within 7 days of the event)
Tinteán 