BrigidFest – Féile Bríde – is an annual celebration of Brigid, Irish, and Australian women which has been held in Melbourne since 2004. 

BrigidFest 2025 promises an afternoon of fascinating insights and warm hospitality with keynote speaker Siobhan Dooley, the award-winning publican of Melbourne’s iconic The Drunken Poet. On Sunday, 9th February, Siobhan will take to the stage at Batman’s Hill on Collins to share her unique perspective on Irish Soft Power: The View from Behind the Bar.

Hailing from Kilkenny, Siobhan has turned her love for Irish culture and hospitality into a thriving career. After studying Economics and Business at Trinity College Dublin, her journey took her across Ireland, the US, and finally Melbourne, where she established The Drunken Poet in 2006. Named one of the top ten Irish pubs in the world by the Irish Times, The Drunken Poet has become a beloved institution, celebrating Irish music, poetry, and connection.

Siobhan’s talk will explore how Irish pubs act as conduits for cultural diplomacy, fostering community through warmth, hospitality, and the arts. She’ll reflect on the evolution of the Irish community in Australia and confront enduring stereotypes about Ireland’s relationship with alcohol, all while celebrating the intimate, transformative power of the modern Irish pub.

The afternoon will include an introduction by the Hon. Gabrielle Williams MP and a two-course lunch. A raffle will raise funds for the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project.

Tickets are $76 (plus booking fee), with the event running from 12pm–4pm at Batman’s Hill on Collins. Don’t miss this chance to hear from a cultural icon redefining what it means to share Ireland’s story from behind the bar. For more info, go to https://brigidfest.wordpress.com.


Picture: Siobhan Dooley of The Drunken Poet will speak at BrigidFest 2025. Credit: thedrunkenpoet.com.au