February 2025 edition of Anglo&Celtic magazine

Welcome to the February 2025 edition of Anglo&Celtic magazine. You can read or download the magazine free of charge at the link above. If you’d like to make a one-time donation towards the costs associated with producing the magazine, or buy a cup of coffee for the hardworking staff, you can do so below.

What comes to mind when you think of the great cities of love and romance – Paris, Rome, Venice, Prague – but Dublin? Not the first place that comes to mind. It’s surprising then that the Irish capital is exactly where the patron saint of love, Valentine himself, has taken up residence. Couples flock to see him on February 14th in the hopes that he will bless their union. Read the surprising story of how Valentine came to end up in rainy Ireland on page 4.

This month we also have Saint Brigid’s celebrations among the Irish community across Australia. And with the Welsh gearing up for Saint David’s Day and the Cornish busy arranging St Piran’s Day celebrations next month, it’s all hands on deck for the Celts. 

Not to mention our Scottish community, who are still hosting Rabbie Burns Night events, having just recovered from Hogmanay.  

The Australian Irish Heritage Association in Western Australia has a packed calendar of events over the coming months. Although the Irish Club of WA’s current venue in Subiaco is being sold, that doesn’t mean that the community won’t have plenty of Irish get-togethers – a club is its people, not its clubhouse. 

Another active group is Queensland Irish Association, who celebrated their first Women’s Little Christmas last month. They will have a screening for St Brigid’s Day this month, and are gearing up for another lively St Patrick’s Day festival season in March. Be sure to book their St Patrick’s Eve Dinner tickets early, as it’s the premier Irish event in Brisbane and last year’s dinner sold out quickly. We have details in this issue of their plans for a fascinating Irish history tour of beautiful South Brisbane Cemetery. 

All the best, Mary. 

If you have a story you’d like to share, email editor@angloandceltic.com.