What’s On in the Irish Community
Port Fairy Folk Festival
The 49th Port Fairy Folk Festival runs from Friday 6th – Monday 9th March. “From humble beginnings in 1977, the Port Fairy Folk Festival has become one of Australia’s largest and most loved festivals.”
Irish performers this year include Beoga, Grainne Hunt, Irish Mythen, the Ocelots and Mary Coughlan.
For tickets and more information, visit the Festival’s website at: portfairyfolkfestival.com.
Celtic Club St Patrick’s Day Breakfast
After a highly successful debut in 2025, the Melbourne Celtic Club St Patrick’s Breakfast is back for 2026 at Zinc, Federation Square!
Join us as we launch St Patrick’s celebrations with an engaging and festive breakfast event, welcoming members, friends and families alike. Expect great food, inspiring guest speakers, live music, entertainment and Irish dancing, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Federation Square as we celebrate together in true Celtic spirit.
Highlights include:
- A delicious breakfast and light refreshments
- Uilleann pipes performed by Matthew Horsley
- Irish dancing performances
- Special guest appearance by the Melbourne Welsh Male Choir
St. Kilda St. Patrick’s Festival in the O’Donnell Gardens.
Melbourne St. Patrick's Day Festival
St. Kilda 2026
The St Kilda St Patrick's Festival returns in 2026 for its 7th year as a one-day celebration of live music, culture, and community in one of Melbourne's most iconic bayside locations.
This free, open-access festival welcomes locals, visitors, and music lovers of all ages. From laid-back daytime moments to high-energy live performances, the day is designed to bring people together through music and shared experience.
At its heart, the festival is a celebration of live music, showcasing Irish folk, country, and contemporary sounds from emerging and established Victorian, Australian, and international artists.
Join us in St Kilda for a full day of great music, good company, and St Patrick's Day spirit by the bay.
IASRB St Patrick’s Day Open House
IASRB will be having an open house to celebrate the day. All are welcome to come in and celebrate our wonderful culture. Doors open from 10:30am
If you play an instrument, can sing a song or know a great Irish tale or poem come down and share it with all. There will be food and drink on offer.
Melbourne Celtic Festival at the Mission to Seafarers
Melbourne Celtic Festival heads into our fifth year at the iconic Mission to Seafarers complex in The Docklands, Melbourne
APOLLINE • AUSTRAL • THE BUSHWACKERS • CLAYMORE • CORA BROWNE TRIO • ERIN RUSSELL BAGPIPES • GRÁINNE HUNT (IRE) • GREEN FIELDZ • HOMEBRU • INN ECHO (CAN) • JULES STEWART (USA) • KATHRYN CLEMENTS • MELBOURNE CÉILÍ BAND • MAGGIE CARTY • OUT OF HAND • PHIL LESTER • SALLY’S UKULELE • SAM O’CONNELL • SHONA WILLIAMS • SUE FOLEY • SUZETTE HERFT • VICTORIAN IRISH DANCE ACADEMY • VICTORIA WELSH MALE CHOIR + MORE
3 Intimate Indoor Stages; The Hall, The Chapel and The Dome.
Another stacked lineup of local and international artists from living legends, The Bushwackers to our ‘Under 30s from 5.30pm’ in The Dome featuring young stars of contemporary traditional music, Out of Hand, Apolline and Homebru.
Melbourne Irish Festival at the Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy.
St Patrick's Family Fun Day
The St Patrick's Family Fun Day is an annual event hosted by the Melbourne Irish Festival. The not-for-profit event is open to all, and brings people together to celebrate Irish culture and heritage.
The festival is an opportunity to come together, reflect on the true nature of a modern and diverse Irish community, and its contribution to the fabric of Australian society today.
This festival REALLY needs your support this year, so do try to come along to this FREE family event. If you can’t make it, you can still support it by buying a raffle ticket. You might even win a round trip ticket to Ireland thanks to Emerald Travel. You have to be in it to win it!
IASRB Working Bee
The Irish Australian Support & Resource Bureau will be holding a working bee on Saturday 28th February from 9:30 a.m.
They want to tidy up the shed, office area and cupboard spaces. Some heavy lifting will be required.
Food and endless cups of tea will be provided.
If you can lend a helping hand, even for one hour, please contact the Bureau at 9482 3865.
St. John the Baptist 150 years celebration
St John the Baptist Church in Clifton Hill has a long connection with Irish community in Melbourne. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the church.
To mark this milestone, St. John the Baptist will be holding 3 events:
On Saturday 21st February at 2:00 p.m. parish historian and archivist, John Andrews will give a talk called “It's a wonder it was built at all.”
On Friday 27th February at 7:30 p.m. there will be a parish Mass will to commemorate the actual day of the laying of the foundation stone.
On Sunday 1st March at 11:00 a.m. Mass will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Melbourne, the Most Reverend Peter Comensoli, and the Archbishop of Perth, the Most Rev Timothy Costelloe. There will be a procession prior to the Mass.
For more info: https://olsc.org.au/
Gaelscoil Melbourne Accepting Enrolments
Join Gaelscoil Melbourne and give your children the gift of bilingualism. Watch them flourish in an immersive and supportive environment where they will form meaningful friendships and a greater sense of community with children on the same journey.
All levels including absolute beginners are welcome. Classes are currently on offer on weekends with qualified and fluent teachers operating in partnership with the Victorian School of Languages.
To register your interest or for more details, contact Lonan at 0493 523 858.
Ceoltóirí Naarm Kids Music Lessons Resume
Melbourne Comhaltas kids and teens music classes resume on Wednesday 4th February.
Do you have a child who would like to learn traditional Irish music? Send them along to Melbourne Comhaltas! Ceoltóirí Naarm was set up in 2023 for children and teens to learn Irish music. Every Wednesday, there are lessons available on individual instruments (tin whistle, fiddle, concertina), as well as group sessions for improvers and more advanced students on other traditional instruments. Beginners and improvers welcome.
Listen to Ceoltóirí Naarm at National Celtic Festival 2023
For more information, contact Aifric: 0437 678 883, or e-mail:
Melbourne Comhaltas Resumes
Melbourne Comhaltas resumes for 2026 on Wednesday 28th January at 7:00 p.m. with a welcome back BBQ and a celebration of St. Brigid’s Day. All are welcome, but for catering purposes, please let them know that you’re coming by contacting Mary at 9435 4435. BYO drinks and please bring a salad or dessert to share.
Comhaltas meets on Wednesday nights at St. Philip’s Anglican Church Hall, Hoddle St., Abbotsford, next to the Collingwood Town Hall. All are welcome.
Win A Double Pass to SAIPAN!
Thanks to our friends at the Irish Film Festival and Kismet Movies, you have the chance to win one of five double passes to see Saipan!
From the creators of the smash box office hit Kneecap comes Saipan, the unforgettable and hilarious story of Roy Keane vs Mick McCarthy, Ireland’s 2002 World Cup divided. Steve Coogan leads in this riveting, witty, and utterly unmissable tale of clashes, egos, and football frenzy. Do you have to be a football fan to love it? Absolutely not! ★★★★ | THE GUARDIAN.
Irish Radio Melbourne members are automatically in the draw to win one of five double passes to the Irish Film Festival — and if you’re not a member yet, just join before 2 February 2026 to qualify
Visit 3ZZZ.com.au to become a member.
IN CINEMAS 5 FEBRUARY
IASRB Morning Tea at Gaelic Park
The IASRB will be hosting a morning tea and social catch up at Gaelic Park on 19th Jan 2026 at 10:30am. this will be a great chance to catch up with old friends and possibly make some new ones.
Gaelic Park - 324 Perry Road Keysborough, 3173
Melbourne Comhaltas Christmas party
Bookings are open for the Melbourne Comhaltas Christmas party, which is on Wednesday 17th December at St. Philip’s Anglican Church Hall in Abbotsford.
Enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner including starters and dessert along with the famous Comhaltas music, dancing, song, and craic along with Christmas carols.
The cost is $35 for Comhaltas members, $40 for non-members, and children are free. Online booking preferred via the Comhaltas website. Alternatively, contact Mary at 9435 4435 or Johanna at 0428 564 266
Christmas Lunch: Irish Australian Support & Resource Bureau
The Irish Australian Support & Resource Bureau will have its Christmas lunch on Sunday 14th December at the Clifton Hill Brewpub, Queens Parade in Clifton Hill from 1:30 - 4:00 p.m
Please join the Bureau for an unforgettable party featuring a fantastic feast and exciting raffle. The cost is $55 per person.
Spots are filling up fast, so confirm yours soon to avoid disappointment. Book your place by contacting 9482 3865
Andy Irvine at the Brunswick Ballroom
Internationally renowned Irish singer Andy Irvine is coming to Melbourne for one show only on Sunday 13th December, performing at the Brunswick Ballroom, Sydney Road in Brunswick. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. for a 2:00 p.m. show.
Over the course of his 55 year career, Andy has performed as a solo artist and as an integral part of some of the finest Irish bands of our time, including Planxty, Patrick Street and Sweeney’s Men.
Tickets for Andy’s Melbourne show are on sale via Moshtix. For more information, contact the Brunswick Ballroom at9387 1347. Don’t miss this opportunity to see a truly legendary performer
Central Victorian Irish Association AGM
The Central Victorian Irish Association will be holding their AGM on Wednesday 3rd December at 5:30 p.m. at the Brougham Arms Hotel, Williamson St. in Bendigo.
The Association has some great events planned for next and would love their members to be involved.
If you would like to stay after the meeting to have dinner, please RSVP to confirm numbers with the Brougham Arms, who are very supportive of the CVIA.
For more information and to confirm your attendance at the dinner, please contact Sue Foley at 0418 557 751
Paddy Fitzgerald Family Day / Super 11s Tournament
Sinn Fein and Wolfe Tones GAA Clubs announce the first tournament of the GAA season, the Paddy Fitzgerald 11s, which is on tomorrow, 30th November at Gaelic Park, Perry Rd. in Keysborough.
In addition to sports and music, this family day also has a bouncy castle, face painting, and -- rumour has it -- a special visitor from the North Pole!
The event runs from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Entry is $10 per person, and the bar and kitchen will be open all day.
Come along and enjoy sport, music and craic in memory of Paddy Fitzgerald.
Celtic music session at Chelsea Yacht Club
The next Sunset Music Session at the Chelsea Yacht Club will be tomorrow, Sunday 30th November from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
These sessions are on the last Sunday of each month and all are welcome. Even if you don’t play an instrument or sing, come along and enjoy the tunes and craic.
There is a $5 cover charge, and children are free. The club bar will be open, but feel free to bring your own snacks and nibblies.
For more information contact Jim at 0400 267 894.
Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club 30th birthday concert
Join the Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers for a raucous and heart-warming concert to celebrate their 30th birthday! They'll be showcasing music and telling stories from across the years, including their international tours to Canada and Scotland, their 7 albums, and too many festivals and gigs to count!
Former members of the club, as well as members of the extended fiddle club family are invited to join them for a couple of big, all-in numbers towards the end of the concert. Get in touch so they can get you involved!
The concert is on Sunday 29th November from 2:00 -5:00 p.m. at St.John’s Anglican Church, 552 Burke Road, Camberwell. For more details visit their website: www.melbournescottishfiddlers.com
Irish Australian Support & Resource Bureau AGM
The AGM of the Irish Australian Support and Resource Bureau is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday 23rd November at their premises at 440A High Street in Northcote.
All current members from the past 12 months are welcome to attend the AGM, however, only financial members can vote.
Please let the Bureau know if you’re planning on an ending, either in person, via email or phone at 9482 3865. If you wish to renew your membership before the AGM, please contact the Bureau at 9482 3865.
The Bureau would like to thank their members, for your support and generosity towards our community and look forward to seeing you at the AGM on 23rd November.
Fight Parkinsons fundraiser
Glor na nGael presenter Brian Gillespie is holding a fundraiser in aid of Parkinsons Disease. With 50 new cases of Parkinsons diagnosed per day, the incidence of this disease continues to rise.
In Victoria alone we have 57,000 cases. Nationally that figure is 219,000. The disease has grown quickly -the number of sufferers has doubled in the last 25 years. One in 5 being diagnosed is under 50 years old.
Help fight this crippling disease by coming along to a "Summer Jam”, a Sunday afternoon of music and fun on Sunday 23rd November from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Moonee Valley Bowls Club, 2A Pattison Street, Moonee Ponds, just off Ormond Road
Chill out and listen to musicians Kathryn Clements, Suzette Herft and Chris of Quiet Man fame. Bring a few friends and a plate. The cost is $25 per person with all proceeds going to Fight Parkinsons.
For booking and more informayion, contact Brian at 0418 155 561.
Irish Famine Orphan Girls Commemoration
This year’s Irish Famine Orphan Girls Commemoration on will be held on
Sunday 23rd November.
Held at Famine Rock, Burgoyne Reserve in Williamstown, the Irish Famine Orphan Girls
Commemorayion on honours the orphan girls sent to Australia as part of
the Earl Grey Scheme. This year’s event marks the 175th anniversary of
the last three ships (Diadem, Derwent and Eliza Caroline) to arrive in
Melbourne 1850.
There will be live music, guest speakers and laying of flowers. Everyone
is welcome to this FREE public event, running from 2:00-4:00 p.m
Beauty Queen of Leenane – Strathmore Theatrical Arts
Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group presents the Martin McDonagh play “The Beauty Queen of Leenane.” The production runs from 13th – 22nd November at Strathmore Community Hall, 50 Loeman St in Strathmore.
From the STAG website, “Set in the mountains of Connemara in County Galway, the play tells the darkly comic tale of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely Irish woman in her early forties, and Mag, her manipulative aging mother, whose interference in Maureen’s first and possibly final chance of a loving relationship sets in mood on a train of events that leads inexorably towards the play’s terrifying conclusion.”
Tickets are $25 or $20 concession, and are available at the Strathmore Theatre Arts Group website, www.stagtheatre.org, or contact 0493 166 774.
Melbourne Comhaltas AGM
Melbourne Comhaltas will have its AGM on Wednesday 12th November at 7:30 p.m. at St. Philip’s Anglican Church Hall, Hoddle St in Abbotsford.
Everyone is welcome to attend the AGM, but only Comhaltas Melbourne members are allowed to vote.
For more information, contact Mary at 9435 4435.
Melbourne Irish Studies Seminar Series
The Melbourne Irish Studies Seminar Series presents its next lecture on Wednesday 12th November. Professor James Chandler from ACU will be giving a public lecture at the University of Melbourne on “Yeats and the poetry of ‘Romantic Ireland’” at 4:00 p.m. at the John Medley Building,4th Floor Linkway, at the University of Melbourne.
These lectures are FREE and open to everyone. For bookings and further information, visit the Melbourne Irish Studies Seminar Series website. https://isaanz.org/events/miss-seminars/
Halloween party at Gaelic Park
Gaelic Park will be hosting a kids Halloween Disco on Saturday 1st November from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. at 324 Perry Road in Keysborough.
The cost is $10 per person and children 1 year old and under are free.
Bookings are via TryBooking https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1483833.
For more details, contact Annemarie on 0438 282 735.
Sunset music session at Chelsea Yacht Club
The next Sunset Music Session at the Chelsea Yacht Club will be on Sunday 26th October from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
These sessions are on the last Sunday of each month and all are welcome. Even if you don’t play an instrument or sing, come along and enjoy the tunes and craic.
There is a $5 cover charge, and children are free. The club bar will be open, but feel free to bring your own snacks and nibblies.
For more information on contact Jim at 0400 267 894.
Irish Social Dance Assoc. of Vic. AGM & Ceili
The Irish Social Dance Association of Victoria will hold its AGM on Sunday 26th October at the Edinburgh Gardens Community Room in Fitzroy North (next to the tennis club) at 2:00 p.m.
An afternoon of dance and music will follow from 2:30 - 5:00 p.m.
This is FREE event for ISDAV members and non-members.
A plate to share for afternoon tea would be appreciated. Bookings are not required. For more information on, contact: dance@isdav.org.au
IASRB Halloween party
Join the Irish Australian Support & Resource Bureau and the Home from Home Parents Group for a festive Halloween themed Children’s Week event! This year’s Páis Party will include Irish language singing, stories and of course opportunity for a Halloween boogie!
This event is on tomorrow, Sunday 26th October at The Clifton Hill Brewpub, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The cost is $10 for adults, and children are free. (This is an update from the previous information, with a new date and venue.)
Come along and enjoy music, dancing, a raffle, and a prize for best dressed!
Please RSVP at 9482 3865 or email secretary@iasrb.org. Spots are limited. They are also looking for volunteers to help us set up and decorate from 11:00 am, please let them know if you are available.
Felix Meagher’s The Man They Call the Banjo
Felix Meagher presents his play The Man They Cal the Banjo on Friday
3rd October at Armagh House, 226 Kooyong Rd. in Toorak at 7:30 p.m.
“The year is 1895. Banjo Paterson and his fiancée, Sarah Riley, travel to
outback Queensland. Sarah hoped to announce their wedding date, but
then Chris na McPherson sang Craigielee. ‘The Man They Cal the
Banjo’ tells the secret love story behind Australia’s favourite song,
Waltzing Ma lda.”
This produc on includes many faces familiar to the Melbourne Irish
community including Felix Meagher, Cora Browne, Colin Driscol, Louey
Hesterman and Pat Evans. Tickets are available via TryBooking. For
more informa on, contact Felix at 0413 801 294.
Celtic Music Session at Chelsea Yacht Club
The next Sunset Session at the Chelsea Yacht Club will be on Sunday
28th September from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
These sessions are on the last Sunday of each month and all are
welcome. Even if you don’t play an instrument or sing, come along and
enjoy the tunes and craic.
There is a $5 cover charge, and children are free. The club bar will be
open, but feel free to bring your own snacks and nibblies.
For more informa on contact Jim at 0400 267 894.
IASRB fundraiser
Save the date for the annual Irish Australian Support & Resource Bureau
fundraiser on Sunday 5th October at St. Mar n de Porres Parish Hal,
Military Rd., in Avondale Heights. There will be music, dancing, raffles,
food and fun!
Details to follow, but you can RSVP in advance at admin@iasrb.org or
by contac ng the Bureau at 9482 3865.
Young Leader - Global 5K
The Ireland Funds Global 5K is back! Join walkers and runners from around the world to build connections, improve health and fitness, and raise vital funds to give back to those less fortunate.
The Melbourne event kicks off on Saturday 13th September at 8:00 a.m. at the Parkville Parkrun at Princes Park in Carlton.
Funds go to a number of worthy charities including the Irish Australian Resource Bureau.
Play it Martha
Play it, Martha, a duo consisting of Cora Browne and Pat Evans, will be playing at the Peninsula Folk Club on Sunday 7th September.
“As veterans of the folk scene, Pat and Cora have come together to share their love of harmony, well-crafted song and the odd rollicking chorus.”
The concert will be at the Frankston Bowls Club, at corner of Yuille & William Sts., Frankston. The cost is $8 for Peninsula Folk Club members and $12 for non-members. The evening kicks off with a jam session from 5:30 p.m. with the concert from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
For more details, contact Alan at 0418 544 467.