What’s On in the Irish Community
3ZZZ Broadcaster Training
Learn to Be a Radio DJ
The next 3ZZZ broadcast and panel operator training commences Saturday 17th May and runs to Saturday 21st June. Class are held over Zoom.
Bloomsday in Melbourne
Bloomsday in Melbourne presents a brand new play for 2025.
Step into the fever-dream world of Monto, Dublin’s notorious red-light district, as Circe’s Carnival of Vice invites audiences to experience a daring and provocative new play inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses.
Circe’s Carnival of Vice
Wednesday 11 June – Sunday 22 June 2025
fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Helen Mohan Celebration - IASRB
Friend of the Irish community, Helen Mohan, is stepping down from her role as an outreach coordinator with the Irish Australian Support & Resource Bureau. Everyone is invited to the Bureau on Tuesday the 17th of June from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to celebrate Helen and her achievements with the Bureau.
If you can, please bring a plate and a card for Helen to say thank you for all the work she has done over the past few years.
The Bureau is located at 440A High St. in Northcote. They can be contacted at 9482 3865
Welcome Home by Meg McMena
Irish-Australian playwright Meg McMena presents her new play, Welcome Home - running from 18th – 28th June at Chapel Off Chapel.
In Meg’s words, “Welcome Home is an intergenerational comedy-drama about holding on to your place in the world no matter what. The play tackles big issues about belonging and justice. It echoes to our older generation of migrants, who made such a huge sacrifice of home and family for the life they chose to live. Imagine if that home was threatened.”
Visit Chapel Off Chapel for all the details!
Maggie Carty Album Launch
Banjo player and singer Maggie Carty launches her debut solo album “Ebb and Flow” with a one-off matinee show featuring her full band, infectious rhythms, and a joyous celebration of modern folk and the Irish diaspora.
Come along for an afternoon of powerful tunes, heartfelt stories, and music that travels across time and oceans.
The launch is on Saturday 21st June from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. at George Lane in St. Kilda. Tickets from $20 are available on Trybooking. If you can’t make it to the launch, you can still purchase Maggie’s album from her website: maggiecarty.com.
Lake School 2026 launch
The launch of the 2026 Lake School of Celtic Music, Song & Dance will take place on Saturday 21st June from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Celtic Club, Sydney Rd. in Brunswick.
The featured artists are the 2025 Stars of the Lake, Glór. Glór is a trio of young women: Ailish Moran, Tadgh Bryant and Dubhessa Bryant.
This promises to be a fantastic afternoon not to be missed. The cost is $10 for adults, children under 17 are free. Bookings are not necessary -- payment to be made at the door.
For more info., contact Jim at 0400 267 894.
Melbourne Comhaltas Winter Solstice / 55th Anniversary
Melbourne Comhaltas is marking its 55th anniversary with a Winter Solstice event on Sunday 22nd June at St. Philip’s Anglican Church Hall, Hoddle St. in Abbotsford.
The event kicks off at 2:00 p.m. with a kids and families afternoon, with music, dancing, and kids games and activities.
For the adults, from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., there will be mulled wine, as well as the famous Comhaltas music, dancing, song and craic.
The entire event is FREE, but for catering purposes, please let us know you’re coming by contacting Mary at 9435 4435.
Tradathon Wodonga
After the success of last year's event, Wodonga Comhaltas is excited to welcome you once more for a weekend of lovely friendship, wicked sessions, world class workshops and a concert you don't want to miss.
The weekend runs from 27th – 29th June.
Don't miss this chance to celebrate the spirit of Ireland in Wodonga! For bookings and further information, contact Jody at 0427 211 282.
Foil, Arms & Hog
Irish comedy trio Foil, Arms & Hog will be appearing at Hamer Hall on Monday 16th June at 8:00 p.m.
The group has developed quite a following, performing all over the world and amassing over one million YouTube subscribers. Come along for what’s sure to be a fantastic night’s entertainment.
This radio program was lucky enough to interview Conor, also known as “Arms,” and that interview will air on our Saturday 31st May program.
Gaelscoil Melbourne
Do you have a school-aged child who is interested in learning the Irish language? Expressions of interest are currently being sought for starting a
Gaelscoil in Melbourne/Naarm. Interested listeners can find out further information through the Gaelscoil Melborune Facebook page or by e-mailing gaelscoilmelbourne@foras.ie .
National Celtic Festival, Portarlington
Tickets are now on sale for the National Celtic Festival, running from Friday 6th – Sunday 9th June in Portarlington.
This iconic event will transform the town with the best folk and Celtic artists, sensational performances, and plenty of craic. Enjoy live music, markets, workshops, delicious food, bars, children’s entertainment, and more as the Celtic spirit takes over the foreshore and beyond.
Melbourne Irish Studies Seminar - Ballymurphy Massacre Campaign."
Melbourne Irish Studies Seminar Series - Online
Wednesday 28th May 2025 at 6:00pm (AET), 9:00am (IST)
Fergal McDonald, PhD candidate, Victoria University, Melbourne
Contact with the Past, Connections in the Present: Springhill Community House and the Ballymurphy Massacre Campaign
image: Irish Association of Australia & NZ website
Irish National Day at Gaelic Park
Gaelic Park’s 55th Irish National Day will take place on Sunday 25th May. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. for a day filled with Irish dancing and music, Gaelic football, hurling and camogie, food and loads of kids’ activities. Gaelic Park is located at 324 Perry Road in Keysborough.
For more details contact secretarygaelicpark@outlook.com.
Dan McCabe at Northcote Theatre
The Malvern Theatre Company is staging a production of the John O’Donoghue play, A Happy & Holy Occasion.
The play runs from Saturday 26th April – Saturday 10th May at the Malvern Theatre Company, Burke Rd. in Malvern East. Tickets are $27 (no concessions).
ENDGAMES: Three short works by Hibberd, Beckett and Chekhov
From 22 nd May – 1 st June, Fortyfive Downstairs in Flinders Lane is presenting “Endgames: Three short works by Beckett, Hibberd and Chekhov.”
Legendary performer Max Gillies brings together monologues by three inimitable playwrights. Tickets range from $49 - $59 (plus service fee), and can be
purchased via the Fortyfivedownstairs website. For more information, ring 9662 9966.
Image: Cameron Grant
Melbourne Comhaltas Set Dance Workshop Weekend
Bookings are now open for the Melbourne Comhaltas Set Dance Workshop Weekend, which runs from Friday 16th – Sunday 18th May at St. Martin de Porres Parish Hall in Avondale Heights.
The weekend features workshops on Saturday and Sunday, two live music ceilis, lunches and morning teas. Comhaltas is especially excited to welcome world renowned dance master Pat Murphy from Tipperary as the special guest instructor. Come along and do as much or as little as you like, with prices ranging from $20 for just the Sunday ceili to $95 for the full weekend.
Irish Ceili at Victorian Folk Music Club, Ringwood
The Victorian Folk Music Club is holding an Irish ceili on Saturday 3rd May with music by the Joan Mundy band. The ceili runs from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
The Victorian Folk Music Club is located at the Ringwood East Senior Citizens Hall, 6 Laurence Grove in Ringwood East. A light supper will be provided, but a plate to share would be appreciated.
For more information, contact 9762 1389.
The Great Trentham Spudfest
Did you know that Trentham has an entire festival devoted to the humble spud?
Running from Saturday 3rd - Sunday 4th May, The Great Trentham Spudfest celebrates the people, produce and the region with street fairs, historical walking tours, games, activities, music, peeling competitions , food and a ceili.
For more information visit the Festival’s website at trenthamspudfest.org.au.
Pat & Faye Shortt Melbourne Show
Irish comedians Pat & Faye Shortt bring their “Knuckle Down” show to the Athenaeum Theatre on Wednesday 30th April.
Pat is well known for his work with d’Unbelievables and Killinaskully, as well as dramatic turns in Garage, and his daughter Faye is making her mark on the Irish comedy scene.
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, but in the meantime tune in on Saturday, 22 March at 11:00 when Mary Ann will bring you a special Voice of the Irish interview with this father-daughter comedy dynamic duo
Oscar Wilde Reading
Forty-Five Downstairs in Flinders Lane is presenting a staged reading of “De Profundis,” by Oscar Wilde. From the theatre’s website: “In 1897, from the solitude of his prison cell, Oscar Wilde poured his heart into a searing 50,000-word letter to his estranged lover Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas. Blistering with anguish and fury, De Profundis is Wilde’s unfiltered outpouring of pain, betrayal, and self-revelation – a plea for truth, a meditation on art, and a journey toward forgiveness.”
Sunset music session at Chelsea Yacht Club
The next Sunset Celtic Music Session at the Chelsea Yacht Club will be tomorrow, Sunday 27th April from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
These sessions are on the last Sunday of each month, and they’re a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. All are welcome.
Even if you don’t play an instrument, come along and enjoy the music. BYO nibblies; Club bar will be open. The cost is a $5 donation, but kids are free. For more info., contact Jim at 0400 267 894..
Daoirí Farrell Victoria Tour
Celebrated Irish folk artist and master bouzouki player Daoirí Farrell will grace Australian stages once again in 2025. Touring across April and May, his highly anticipated return will see Farrell deliver a series of mesmerising performances, bringing his deeply emotive Irish music to life.
A Happy and Holy Occasion
The Malvern Theatre Company is staging a production of the John O’Donoghue play, A Happy & Holy Occasion.
The play runs from Saturday 26th April – Saturday 10th May at the Malvern Theatre Company, Burke Rd. in Malvern East. Tickets are $27 (no concessions).
People Eat Soul: Sound Healing, Theatre and Inquiry
People Eat Soul, a day of soul-nourishing sound healing, immersive theatre performance, singing performance of an Irish Gaelic song 'Samhradh Samhradh' taught to Kathryn Farrell by renowned Medicine Song Carrier Peia and self-inquiry is being held on Saturday 26th April at 226 Kooyong Rd. in Toorak.
Special Offer for 3ZZZ listeners.
Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival
The Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival will be held on Sunday, 23rd March at Eastfield Park, Croydon from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
This festival has been running for over 50 years, and features the parade of clans, pipe bands, Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Morris dancing, loads of musical performances, a folk music tent, as well as food and retail stalls. This year’s event also features the International Heavy Games Championships.
Melbourne Comhaltas Patrick’s Day Hooley
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Melbourne Comhaltas. Their annual Patrick’s Day Family Hooley will be held on Patrick’s Day itself, Monday 17th March at St. Philip’s church hall, Hoddle St., Abbotsford, from 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Music, dancing and craic for the whole family. The cost is $10 for Comhaltas members, $15 for non-members, and children are FREE.
For catering purposes, please let us know you’re coming by contacting Mary at 9435 4435.
Melbourne Celtic Festival
The Melbourne Celtic Festival at the Mission to Seafarers has become a major fixture on the Melbourne Patrick’s Day calendar with loads of music and dance acts all day and into the night across several stages.
Taking place on Patrick’s Day itself, Monday 17th March, the Festival features headline act Skerryvore, along with local acts including Claymore, Bhán Tré, Saoirse, the Victoria Welsh Male Choir, Kathryn Clements, Apolline, Austral, Glór, the Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers, and many more to be announced. It’s the city music festival with a country feel.
The festival runs from 12.00pm to 11.00pm.
The Commitments
To mark St. Patrick’s Day, the classic Irish film (1991), “The Commitments” is being shown at Cameo, Classic and Lido cinemas.
“The Commitments” is being shown on Sunday 16th March at 4:00 pm and Wednesday 19th March at 11.00 am
Cameo Cinemas - 1628 Burwood Highway, Belgrave 3160
Classic Cinemas - 9 Gordon Street, Elsternwick VIC 3185
Lido Cinemas - 675 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn VIC 3122
St Kilda St Patrick’s Festival Day 2
With an international Irish band and local live performers and artists, the ticketed event is the Festival's main attraction. Gates open at 1.00pm with live music until the festival closes at 9.00pm.
Melbourne Irish Festival – Family Fun Day
The St Patrick's Family Fun Day hosted by the Melbourne Irish Festival is an annual festival open to all, celebrating Irish culture and heritage. Held in the Edinburgh Gardens, Fitzroy on Sunday 16th March, this FREE festival is always a fantastic day out for the whole family, with kids activities, music, dance displays and loads of craic for everyone.
ISDAV Patrick’s Day Ceili
The Irish Social Dance Association of Victoria is hosting a Patrick’s Day ceili on Saturday 15th March at Arthur’s Creek Mechanics Institute Hall. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with the ceili running from 7:30 p.m. ’til late. It will be a night filled with dancing, a few spot acts, plenty of laughs and great music by the Mundy Ceili Band. All of this in the beautiful setting of the historic 1887 Arthurs Creek Hall.
St. Kilda St. Patrick’s Day Festival Day 1
The FREE Family Event takes place on Saturday 15th March 2025 from 10am - 7pm in O'Donnell Gardens with live music and a parade. The event is open to families, tourists, backpackers and any other members or residents of the local community who want to join in celebrating Irish heritage.
BrigidFest 2025
Tickets are selling fast for Brigidfest, which is being held on Sunday 9th February from 12:00-4:00 p.m. at Batman’s Hill on Collins, 623 Collins St. (opposite Southern Cross Station).
This year’s guest speaker is Siobhan Dooley, award-winning publican from The Drunken Poet. She will be speaking on the topic: Irish Soft Power, The View from Behind the Bar, Winning hearts and minds through culture, hospitality, and connection. There will also be a raffle to benefit the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project.
The cost is $76 (plus $2.40 booking fee) for a 2-course lunch. Bookings can be made via Trybooking.
Garryowen 9s Tournament
The Ted O’Sullivan Garryowen 9s tournament will be on Sun. 9th February at Gaelic Park, Perry Road in Keysborough and at the Serbian Centre next door.
Gates open at 7:30 a.m. for an exciting day of men’s and ladies’ GAA action.
St. Brigid’s Day @ Celtic Club
Celebrate St. Brigid’s Day at The Wild Geese Hotel, home of the Celtic Club, 29 Sydney Road Brunswick. On Saturday 1st February from 8:00 a.m. till late to there will be live music from talented community female artists, Irish dancing, activities including cross making and lots, lots more for the whole family, plus delicious special menu additions for the day.
Melbourne Comhaltas Resumes for 2025
Melbourne Comhaltas resumes for 2025 on Wednesday 29th January at 7:00 p.m. with a welcome back BBQ and a celebration of St. Brigid’s Day.
Details to follow about enrolment for 2025 Ceoltóirí Naarm kids and teens lessons.
Comhaltas meets on Wednesday nights at St. Philip’s Anglican Church Hall, Hoddle St., Abbotsford, next to the Collingwood Town Hall. All are welcome.
Other Comhaltas events for 2025 include their Irish Music & Dance Weekend in Queenscliff, running from Fri. 4th – Sun. 6th April and their Set Dance Workshop Weekend in Avondale Heights, running from Fri. 16th – Sun. 18th May.
Kids & Teens Irish Music Lessons
Melbourne Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Naarm are now accepting enrolments for kids and teens music classes. Do you have a child who would like to learn how to play or sing traditional Irish music? Send them to Ceoltóirí Naarm!
Lake School of Celtic Music, Song & Dance
It’s not too late to book your place at the Lake School of Celtic Music, Song & Dance, held the 2nd – 7th January every year in Koroit.