What’s On in the Irish Community
Dancing at Lughnasa
Eltham Theatre is delighted to present their production of the Brian Friel classic play “Dancing at Lughnasa.”
Brian Friel's multi-award-winning play is widely regarded as his masterpiece, portraying the strength and bravery of five sisters who dance wildly in a final celebration of their lives, before they change forever.
The play runs from 4th – 9th September at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd. in Research.
Tickets are available via Trybooking. For more information, contact 0411 713 095
Glor na nGael - Voice of the Irish AGM
The AGM for this Irish program will be on Sunday 30th August at 2:30 p.m. here at the 3ZZZ studios at 309 Albert St. in Brunswick.
We look forward to reflecting on our past year and discussing our plans for the coming one.
Everyone is welcome to attend the AGM, but only Irish program members are eligible to vote.
Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club Concert
The Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club is presenting a concert on Sunday 30th August at 2:00 p.m. at St. George’s Anglican Church in Travencore.
This concert is a fundraiser for a new CD that the Club is recording. This will be their 8th studio recording in the Club’s 31-year history. The concert is for the community, but it’s also to help them raise funds to meet the costs of recording, production and licensing of their new CD.
Irish Support Victoria morning tea @ Gaelic Park
Irish Support Victoria will be holding its next morning tea at Gaelic Park, 324 Perry Rd, in Keysborough, Monday 24 August at 11 am
Come along down to Gaelic Park, 324 Perry Rd. to enjoy a cuppa and some treats, to catch up with long-time friends or make some new ones! Everyone is welcome. There is a $5 cover charge to cover the cost of the morning tea.
Pop Up Irish Market
The Hotel Esplanade is hosting a Pop-Up Irish Market on Sunday 23rd August from 11:00 am – 2:30 p.m. The Esplanade (or The Espy) is located at 11 The Esplanade in St. Kilda. For more details contact (03) 9209 6634.
Ulysses for Everyone
Bloomsday in Melbourne presents a workshop entitled “Ulysses for Everyone” on Sunday 23rd August here in the 3ZZZ boardroom, 309 Albert St. in Brunswick.
Running from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., this friendly introduction to Joyce’s classic is presented by Frances Devlin-Glass and Irish Radio Melbourne’s own Steve Carey. You don’t need to have any prior knowledge or experience of Ulysses to attend.
Tickets are $95 or $80 concession; $75 for members of The Celtic Club. For bookings or more details, visit the Bloomsday in Melbourne website at: https://www.bloomsdayinmelbourne.org.au/
Steps & Sets Social Irish Dance Workshop
The Irish Social Dance Association of Victoria is running a Steps & Sets social Irish dance workshop on Saturday 22nd August at Fairfield Uniting Church, 85 Gilles St. in Fairfield. The workshop runs from 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m.
Pop Up Gaeltacht - Antique Bar
On Friday 21st August there will be a Pop-Up Gaeltacht at the Antique Bar in Elsternwick at 7:30 p.m. The Antique Bar is located at 218 Glen Huntly Rd. in Elsternwick. For more information contact 0481 767 888.
Pop-up Gaeltacht at The Dubliner, Mornington
Want to practice your cupla focal? The Dubliner Pub in Mornington will be holding a pop-up Gaeltacht on Sunday the 26h of July beginning at noon. All levels of Irish are welcome.
The Dubliner is located at 65A Octavia St. in Mornington. For more details, contact (03) 5975 3567.
GEELONG CELTIC SUPPORTERS CLUB FAMILY DAY 2026 - An Irish & Scottish Community Celebration
GEELONG CELTIC SUPPORTERS CLUB FAMILY DAY 2026 An Irish & Scottish Community Celebration Sunday, July 5th Kick-off from 12:00 pm City of Geelong Bowls Club 7–9 Ballarat Road, North Geelong
Join us for a fantastic family day celebrating Irish and Scottish culture, community, music, and friendship. Whether you’re a lifelong Celt, proud of your heritage, or simply looking for a great day out with family and friends, everyone is welcome!
Melbourne Tartan Day Parade
Celebrate all things Scottish!
Piping and Highland Dancing displays between 11.30am and 1.30pm at Old Treasury Building terrace & Pipers on Balconies. Burns’ Poetry Reading at Robbie Burns Statue in Treasury Gardens. Support the wonderful pipe band community as they parade down Collins Street Melbourne on Sunday 5th July 2026 at 2.00pm.
Pop-up Gaeltacht at The Dubliner, Mornington
Want to practice your cupla focal? The Dubliner Pub in Mornington will be holding a pop-up Gaeltacht on Sunday the 28th of June beginning at noon. All levels of Irish are welcome.
The Dubliner is located at 65A Octavia St. in Mornington. For more details, contact (03) 5975 3567.
St. Kevin’s GAA Club 70 Years Dinner Dance
St. Kevin’s GAA Club is marking its 70th anniversary this year with a Dinner Dance. Join them in celebrating this milestone, the St. Kevin’s community and a piece of home away from home. They will also be recognising the dedication, effort and achievements of their players with their annual awards.
Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival will be running from Friday 26th – Saturday 27th June and features bands, choirs, sessions, dancing, storytelling and much, much more. There’s truly something for everyone!
Tickets range from $15 for the opening night concert to $55 for the full festival and are available via Ticketebo.
Camperdown's Robert Burns Celtic Festival
Camperdown’s Robert Burns Celtic Festival is running from Friday 26th – Sunday 28th June in Camperdown in southwestern Victoria.
This is a festival weekend full of music, history, dance, choirs, food, and fun celebrating our Celtic connections and Burns beyond Scotland. There’s now even more ceilidh action making it easy for everyone to join in the fun, along with Irish and Scottish dance concerts. There will also be history talks, music, food, pipe bands and ceilidhs.
Bound for Australia: Anne Trotter's Needlework Specimen Book, 1840
Melbourne Irish Studies Seminar Series
JUNE 24, 2026.
4.30pm Melbourne time.
Dr Laura Jocic, Deakin University
Bound for Australia: Anne Trotter's Needlework Specimen Book, 1840
2027 Lake School Launch
The launch of the 2027 Lake School of Celtic Music, Song & Dance will be held on Saturday 20th June at the Celtic Club, Sydney Rd. in Brunswick.
Special musical guest will be the 2026 Stars of the Lake, the Surround, comprised of young musicians Tully, Donncha, Sylvie and Pascal. Music session to follow, so bring along your instruments!
Bloomsday in Melbourne events
Bloomsday in Melbourne is an annual celebration of James Joyce’s life and works, featuring theatrical productions, seminars, and cultural events inspired by his novel Ulysses. This year’s production is entitled Between the Lines and examines letters between James Joyce and comedy legend Groucho Marx.
The play runs from Wednesday 17th - Sunday 21st June at Fortyfive Downstairs in Flinders Lane. The annual seminar and lunch will be on Sunday 21st June from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Celtic Club.
Irish Support Victoria morning tea @ Gaelic Park
Irish Support Victoria will be holding its next morning tea at Gaelic Park, 324 Perry Rd, in Keysborough, Monday 15th June at 10:30 a.m.
These morning teas provide an opportunity for those who live in that area to meet and catch up with old friends – and possibly make some new ones. Everyone is welcome.
Sunset Celtic music session at Chelsea Yacht Club
The next Sunset Celtic Music Session at the Chelsea Yacht Club will be on tomorrow Sunday 10th May from 4:00 7:00 p.m. All are welcome.
Newport Fiddle & Folk Club Slow & Steady Session
The Newport Fiddle & Folk Club will have its next Slow & Steady music session on Friday 12th of June at the Newport Scout Hall, 6 Market St. in Newport. Running from 7:30-9:30 p.m., all are welcome to this low-pressure space for musicians of all ages and skill levels to learn, play and enjoy Celtic music at a more relaxed “traditional” pace.
Apolline in Brunswick
Local group Apolline will be performing at the Retreat Hotel, 280 Sydney Rd. in Brunswick, this comping Tuesday 9th June at 7:00 p.m.
National Celtic Folk Festival, Portarlington
The launch of the 2027 Lake School of Celtic Music, Song & Dance will be held on Saturday 20th June at the Celtic Club, Sydney Rd. in Brunswick.
Special musical guest will be the 2026 Stars of the Lake, the Surround, comprised of young musicians Tully, Donncha, Sylvie and Pascal. Music session to follow, so bring along your instruments!
Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club Untamed Ceilidh
Join the Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club for a Scottish ceilidh dance on Thursday 28th May at the Hawthorn Town Hall. Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m. and all are welcome.
St. Kevin’s GAC Family Day
St. Kevin’s GAA club will have its Family Day on Sunday 24th May at Gaelic Park, Perry Rd. in Keysborough to coincide with Gaelic Park’s National Day.
National Day at Gaelic Park
Come on down to Gaelic Park, 324 Parry Rd. in Keysborough on Sunday 24th May for Irish National Day, an annual celebration of Irish culture.
Comhaltas Set Dance Workshop Weekend
Bookings are open for annual Comhaltas Set Dance Workshop Weekend, running from Friday 15th - Sunday 17th May at St. Martin de Porres Parish Hall in Avondale Heights. The special guest instructor this year is New Zealand’s Helen Stonehouse, who has been teaching Irish dancing for 30 years.
Stephen Regan on Yeats & Heaney - MISS
Melbourne Irish Studies Seminar Series
Singing School: W. B. Yeats and Seamus Heaney
Stephen Regan (Durham University and University of Melbourne)
Throughout his career, Seamus Heaney reflected on the poetry of W. B. Yeats as an example of both formal accomplishment and exemplary poetic outlook. Particular works by Yeats, including ‘Meditations in Time of Civil War’, ‘The Tower’ and ‘Cuchulain Comforted’, became touchstones for his own poetic practice, calling for vigilance in the face of political violence and social upheaval. The influence of Yeats is strongly marked in poems by Heaney such as ‘Singing School’ and ‘Casualty’, but the presence of his illustrious predecessor is also evident in the later, visionary poems of Seeing Things, in which Heaney both earnestly and light-heartedly composes ‘Set questions for the ghost of W.B.’ This lecture will seek to show how Heaney’s critical understanding of Yeats changes and develops in keeping with his own energetic self-development. It will propose that Heaney’s relationship with Yeats was never simply one of assent, but rather one of complex engagement, adjustment and refinement, out of which came some of his most powerful poems and prose.
Stephen Regan
Stephen Regan is Professor Emeritus at Durham University and also an honorary member of staff in the School of Culture and Communication at the University of Melbourne. He previously taught at Ruskin College, Oxford and Royal Holloway, University of London. His books include Irish Writing: An Anthology of Irish Literature in English 1789-1939 (OUP, 2004), The Sonnet (OUP, 2019) and The Penguin Book of Elegy, co-edited with Andrew Motion in 2023. He is one of the editors of the forthcoming Oxford History of Poetry in English, with responsibility for modern British and Irish poetry.
http://isaanz.org/events/miss-seminars/
As always this is a free public seminar open to everyone.
Sunset Celtic music session at Chelsea Yacht Club
The next Sunset Celtic Music Session at the Chelsea Yacht Club will be on tomorrow Sunday 10th May from 4:00 7:00 p.m. All are welcome.
Theatre: Never Closer
Never Closer – A Story of Home and Division
Old friends reunite on Christmas Eve — but tensions beneath the surface are ready to ignite. Melbourne premiere at fortyfive downstairs of a powerful new Irish drama set in 1987, exploring home, friendship and the choices that shape our lives.
Comhaltas Irish Weekend in Queenscliff
Irish Music & Dance Weekend – Queenscliff
Bookings are now open for a full weekend of workshops, music and céilí from 1–3 May.