Melbourne Irish Studies Seminars
These free seminars, often both online via Zoom and in person at Newman College.
27 May Dr Laura Jocic, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University, ‘Bound for Australia: Anne Trotter’s Needlework Specimen book, 1840’
http://isaanz.org/events/miss-seminars/
As always this is a free public seminar open to every one. It starts at 4.30pm Jabiru Room at Newman College, Swanston St, Carlton. See above link if you wish to attend via Zoom.
Our website is https://isaanz.org/events/miss-seminars/
Comhaltas Set Dance Weekend May 15th to 17th
National Walk for Truth
Parliament of VictoriaEast Melbourne, VIC
Sunday, April 19
Overview
Walk for Truth 2026 is a national journey led by Travis Lovett, calling for truth-telling, healing and meaningful change.
Travis Lovett invites you to take part in the National Walk for Truth, travelling from Victorian Parliament in Naarm to Parliament House in Canberra on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country.
Everyone is invited to join Lovett, a Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man, former Deputy Chair and Commissioner, Yoorrook Justice Commission and Executive Director of the Centre for Truth Telling and Dialogue, University of Melbourne, for this significant journey. The walk begins at Victorian Parliament House, where the first Walk for Truth (2025) concluded, and continues to Parliament House in Canberra, where participants will call for national truth-telling, healing and meaningful change.
The National Walk for Truth calls on the Federal Government to commit to a national truth-telling process developed in genuine partnership with First Nations peoples.
The walk begins on Sunday 19 April and concludes in Canberra on Wednesday 27 May, during National Reconciliation Week. Expected dates for each leg of the walk are listed below.
This powerful journey invites people from across the country to walk together toward truth, recognise the strength and resistance of Aboriginal people, and celebrate the world’s oldest continuing living culture.
More information is available at: https://www.walkfortruth.com/
Theatre
Bloomsday in Melbourne presents
Between The Lines – The James Joyce/Groucho Marx Letters
17 – 21 June 2026
Photo by Jody Jane Stitt
SHOW DETAILS:
A young scholar makes the discovery of the century – letters between James Joyce and comedy legend Groucho Marx – and believes she has secured her legacy. But in the cut-throat Joyce Industry, credit rarely goes to a woman. Between The Lines is a razor sharp, wryly witty literary mystery that follows her descent into a patriarchal web of ego and academic theft. As her groundbreaking discovery is hijacked by the very mentor she trusted to protect it, truth begins to blur. Packed with intellectual gymnastics and dramatic reversals, the story asks: who gets to own history? In a world of literary giants, you can’t trust even the evidence of your own eyes…
Bloomsday in Melbourne 2026 Annual Seminar and Lunch
Once again Bloomsday in Melbourne brings to the stage a brand new production related to the work of James Joyce. In 2026 we are proud to present a new stage show written by Bloomsday’s Steve Carey and directed by Renee Palmer, Between The Lines: The James Joyce/Groucho Marx Letters.
It runs at fortyfivedownstairs from Wednesday 17th to Sunday 21st June. And you can join us on that Sunday for lively and entertaining discussion… and stay for a delicious lunch, with musical entertainment provided by Felix Meagher and Ewen Baker.
THE 2026 BLOOMSDAY ANNUAL SEMINAR
‘Blessed Art Thou Among Women’: James Joyce’s ‘Me Too’ Moment and the Helen Garner ‘First Stone’ Affair
Bloomsday in Melbourne’s play for 2026 considers how women are viewed by Joyce and Marx (Groucho, not Karl) in 1937; and sets our young female academic down in 1980s England, contending with the literary, and particularly the Joycean, academic establishment.
Helen Garner’s controversial book The First Stone has raised feminist hackles since its publication in 1995. The issues it deals with have if anything become more urgent and more contentious in the 30 years since. Indeed, in 2024 the Joyce industry experienced its own seismic ‘Me Too’ moment.
Where are we now? What needs to happen next?
Chair: Steve Carey
Panel: Professor Ronan McDonald, Gerry Higgins Chair in Irish Studies, Melbourne University; Frances Devlin-Glass, Artistic Director, Bloomsday in Melbourne
BOOK BLOOMSDAY SEMINAR/LUNCH
NOTE: Between The Lines: The James Joyce/Groucho Marx Letters, 17-21 June at fortyfivedownstairs (is a convenient tram or train ride from The Wild Geese).
Accessibility: there are stairs at The Wild Geese Hotel and no lift.
Touring
Séamus and Caoimhe are a dynamic sibling duo from Connemara on the west coast of Ireland, raised in the heart of the Gaeltacht where music, dance and the Irish language shaped their sound from day one. Their performances pulse with fresh energy while staying deeply rooted in tradition.
Enjoy high-energy music with one of Ireland’s most exciting emerging trad bands, The Bath Street Boys. Featuring Oran Kelly, Marty Barry, Oisín Duffy and Aidan Quigney, this powerhouse quartet blends regional Irish styles with a fresh, infectious energy.
Saltaire are a Dublin-based contemporary folk/trad band. Their combined experience fueling a
bold and dynamic sound, the band weave haunting, ethereal folk styles with rich storytelling to
create original songs and reimagined folk ballads and traditional tunes.
DATE AND TIME: Saturday 30th May, 7pm doors for 7:30pm start
VENUE: The Gaelic Club, 1/64 Devonshire St, Surry Hills NSW
To read more about the artists and to buy tickets, visit here.
Roddy Doyle at the Sydney Writers’ Festival
In this special event at this year’s Sydney Writers’ Festival, Roddy Doyle, author of the Booker Prize-winning PADDY CLARKE HA HA HA and THE COMMITMENTS, reflects on his career thus far and discusses his latest novel THE WOMEN BEHIND THE DOOR with presenter Kate Evans.
His latest novel sees a return to his iconic character Paula Spencer and the next chapter in her life as an Irish working-class woman dealing with a past of abuse, alcoholism and poverty.
DATE AND TIME: Saturday 23rd May, 6-6:55pm
VENUE: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh NSW
Adult tickets are $45 ($40 for concession) and are selling out! Visit the Sydney Writers’ Festival websiteto see the full program and to book your tickets.
An Inaugural Irish-Australian Short Film Competition
| Irish Film Festival ’26 Short Film Program open for submissions |
| In 2026, the Irish Film Festival will stage our first Short Film Competition as part of the festival season! The competition is open to fiction and documentary with all genres welcome – drama, comedy, animation, experimental and anything in between. Filmmakers get cracking! We have extended the submission deadline of our IFF26 Short Film Competition to May 31st. The winning films will be screened at this year’s festival and prizes will be awarded to the Best Australian-Made Film and Best Internationally-Made Film. A reminder that to qualify, the submitted film must:Have themes, storylines, characters or locations relating to Ireland or the Irish diaspora, OR Have a principal participant (director, producer or actor) who has Irish heritage Be an original work and meet all eligibility requirements regarding music and copyright Be less than 15 minutes long Have been completed after January 1st 2024 (incl.) Be presented in their original versions with English language subtitles or commentary where necessary A $20 AUD entry fee is required to enter. To read further terms and conditions and view last year’s program, visit our website. If your short film is eligible, please submit your film via our FilmFreeway page. |
Thank you to Enda Murray and team
Victoria National Celtic Folk Festival – Portarlington 5-8 June 2026
Scoil Gheimhridh Sydney 5-8 June Irish Language Live-In School 5-8 June Venue: Sinofield Retreat, 77 Scott Avenue, Leura NSW 2780
The Scoil Gheimhridh Sydney 2026 is a long weekend of Irish language and craic. Come and improve your Irish language skills.
The key activity of the weekend is Irish language classes. Other Irish activities provide a break in a convivial environment. These may include the official opening, table quiz, guest speaker, concert and classes in singing, tin whistle, boardgames or dance. Informal sessions continue every night. Come and join the fun.
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 learnt it at school; fluent people who want to meet to converse in Irish and to help others learn.
There are classes at four or five levels to suit the Irish language skills of the participants.
Dates: 5-8 June 2026 Friday to Monday full booking Venue: Sinofield Retreat, 77 Scott Avenue, Leura NSW 2780
Booking closes 22 May 2026. Apply to greg@IrishLanguageSchoolSydney.com
N.B. All full booking with on-site accommodation is now fully booked; however, we are investigating local accommodation alternatives. Contact greg@IrishLanguageSchoolSydney.com
Costs per day
Two-day deal Saturday and Sunday no accommodation $200 (includes lunch and dinner)
One-day deal Saturday or Sunday no accommodation: $100 (includes lunch and dinner)
Closing date: 22 May 2026 Applications received after the closing date may be accepted at the discretion of the director.
Our heartfelt thanks to all of our supporters, particularly to the Government of Ireland through the assistance of the Government of Ireland – Emigrant Support Programme. We would also like to acknowledge Muiris Ó Súilleabháin for his long-standing financial support of the Scoil.
The High Kings
The Rocky Road Tour 2026
A Celebration of Irish Folk on a Global Stage
Ireland’s leading folk group, The High Kings, are set to excite fans once again with the announcement of their Rocky Road Tour 2026.
Tickets for The Rocky Road Tour 2026 in Australia will go live on Thursday 2nd of April 2026.
DATES
Friday 9 October 2026 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
Saturday 10 October 2026 – Costa Hall, Geelong
Sunday 11 October 2026 Civic Hall, Ballarat
Monday 12 October 2026 – Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston
Wednesday 14 October 2026 – Princess Theatre, Brisbane
Thursday 15 October 2026 – Twin Towns, Tweed Heads
Friday 16 October 2026 – The Gov, Adelaide
Saturday 17 October 2026 – PCEC Riverside Theatre, Perth
Wednesday 21 October 2026 – Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong
Thursday 22 October 2026 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
Friday 23 October 2026 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Saturday 24 October 2026 – City Hall, Newcastle
Sunday 25 October 2026 – The Art House, Wyong
ONGOING
Irish Language Events Around the Country
Pop Ups Nationwide
Bíonn Pop-Up Gaeltachtaí nó ciorcal comhrá ar siúil go minic in
Mparntwe/Alice Springs: cur teacs chuig nó cur glaoch ar Séamus ar 0414 883 478;
Meanjin/Brisbane: tuilleadh eolas ar suíomh Gaeilge Brisbane Gimuy/Cairns: tuilleadh eolas ar suíomh Cairns Le Gaeilge
Warrane/Sydney: tuilleadh eolas ar suíomh Comhaltas Sydney
Adelaide: Beidh Pop-Up Gaeltacht againn Dé Sathairn , 16 Bealtaine, ag 11rn i Plant 4, Bowden. Beidh comhrá, cluichí agus craic trí Ghaeilge. Tá fáilte roimh gach leibhéal Gaeilge. Ní rang é – deis shuaimhneach é Gaeilge a úsáid, triail a bhaint aisti, agus caife a ól le chéile.
Our next Pop-Up Gaeltacht is on Saturday, 16 May at 11am in Plant 4, Bowden. We’ll have chat, games and a bit of craic in Irish. All levels are welcome. It’s not a class, just a relaxed opportunity to practice Irish and enjoy a coffee together.
Click the Facebook event for updates.
Australia’s very own Celticist and Gaeilgoir, Dr Pamela O’Neill, of the Australian School of Celtic Learning in NSW also regularly hosts online events about early Irish history and language – more info here.
New Conversation Group on the Gold Coast
Ciorcal Comhrá Nua ar an gCósta Óir
Tá Ciorcal Comhrá nua tosnaithe ar an gCósta Óir agus bíonn sé ar siúl gach dara Domhnach i SoPo i Southport, ón 4 go dtí a 6pm. Féach ar Gaeilge Gold Coast ar Facebook chun breis eolais a fháil agua na sonraí a aimsiú.
A new Ciorcal Comhrá has started on the Gold Coast and runs every second Sunday in SoPo, Southport from 4 to 6pm. See the Gaeilge Gold Coast Facebook page for more details https://www.facebook.com/groups/846998784830932/
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 Melbourne
This group of very young and very talented musicians are worth supporting.
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.
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Sunday sessions (Canberra Irish Club) Canberra
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
Tinteán 