Queensland Irish Association (QIA) is celebrating its 125th anniversary and has a celebration lunch planned at Brisbane City Hall on Friday, October 6th.
Their public relations officer Mary Allen said: “It’s hard to believe our club is older than the Irish State itself! When the State was founded in 1922, Queensland Irish Association was already 24 years old.”
The Association has also released a book this year to mark the anniversary. A Hundred Thousand Welcomes, written by Rodney Sullivan and Robin Sullivan of University of Queensland, tells the amazing history of the club.
Set up in 1898, QIA is the longest continuously operating national association in Queensland. The club fosters friendship among Irish people and their descendants.
QIA has hosted prominent visitors to Queensland, including Irish Presidents and Ambassadors, and counts many professionals among its members.
QIA’s focus on promoting Irish culture allows members maintain a strong connection to their heritage. They do this through supporting a pipe band, choir, Irish dancers, dining clubs, the Rose of Tralee quest and the St Patrick’s Day parade, and more. Through their philanthropy, they help Irish cultural groups and individuals in Queensland.
Mary says the club is looking for new members and all are welcome, you don’t even have to be Irish to join.
“It costs just $20 to join at our website, and we arrange all kinds of fun activities for our members. There are drinks, cinema trips, walking in the St Patrick’s Day Parade, and lots of other cultural events. There are also two very prestigious annual dinners, on St Patrick’s Eve and St Brigid’s Day.”
You can find out more at the QIA’s website, at www.queenslandirish.com, or their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Qldirishclub.
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