Nestled on Victoria’s rugged southern coast, the towns of Koroit, Crossley, and Port Fairy hold the story of one of Australia’s most significant Irish settlements. This area became a haven for Irish immigrants during the 19th century, their influence woven into its cultural and physical landscape.
Port Fairy, originally named by whalers in the 1820s after their ship The Fairy, was officially renamed Belfast in 1854. The name reflected the influx of Irish settlers, many of whom were fleeing famine and hardship back home. Much of this was thanks to James Atkinson, a wealthy Irishman who purchased large tracts of land in the 1840s. Atkinson’s influence and the growing Irish community transformed Belfast into a hub of Catholic life, complete with churches, schools, and thriving farming settlements.
Nearby Koroit and Crossley became extensions of this Irish heartland, with strong ties to faith, music, dance, and storytelling. The fertile volcanic plains provided perfect farmland, and the Irish families who worked the land built a tight-knit community that celebrated their heritage. Today, places like Saint Brigid’s Church in Crossley remain living testaments to their resilience and faith.
In 1887, Belfast reverted to its original name, Port Fairy, reflecting the town’s maritime heritage. While some mourned the loss of its Irish identity in name, the spirit of Belfast endures in the traditions and architecture that remain.
The Irish legacy is celebrated annually during the Port Fairy Folk Festival, a nod to the music and stories brought by those early settlers.
From the Celtic crosses in its cemeteries to the Irish surnames that are still common in the region, the Great South Coast stands as a testament to how Irish immigrants shaped the history and culture of Australia.
Read more about St Brigid’s hub in Crossley here: https://angloandceltic.com/2025/02/01/irish-australian-heritage-hub-calling-for-support/
Anglo&Celtic 