December 2017 Newsletter
Visit of the President of Ireland to Queensland
On Monday 16th of October 2017, the Embassy of Ireland hosted a reception at the Stamford Hotel in Brisbane for the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins.
Many members of the Irish Community attended including Directors of The Queensland Irish Association.
President Higgins is the latest President of Ireland to honour the Irish Community in Queensland with his distinguished presence.
In 1911, Irish Parliamentary envoys, led by William Redmond, were entertained in the Q.I.A Club Rooms.
In 1948, the 50th anniversary of the Q.I.A, the Q.I.A played host to Eamon De Valera, then leader of the Opposition in Dail Eireann, and Frank Aitkin, Opposition Spokesman on Foreign Affairs.
In 1985, Dr Patrick T Hillery, the first President of Ireland to visit Australia, was given a huge reception in the Club rooms.
In 1992, the President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, attended a function in the Q.I.A Club Rooms.
In 1998, on the Centenary of the Q.I.A, Mary McAleese, the President of Ireland, was a special guest of the Q.I.A at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
Then in 2003, Mary McAleese, as President of Ireland, was again given a huge welcome at the Q.I.A Club Rooms.
Irish Entertainment Evening
On Saturday 28 October, the Q.I.A staged a very successful Irish Evening for more than 400 members and guests at Wests Rugby Club at Toowong.
Thank you to the QIA Dancers, the Queensland Irish Choir, the QIA Dancers, the Queensland Irish Association Pipe Band and The Blarneystones for an evening of wonderful entertainment.
Q.I.A Christmas Gathering
On Wednesday 29th November at Wests Rugby Club at Sylvan Rd Toowong, starting at 6pm, the Q.I.A will hold “The Q.I.A Christmas Gathering”.
Dining will be available and a cash bar will operate.
For catering purposes, please phone Margaret Stacey on 3366 5499 by Monday 27 November and advise of your intention to attend.
Date Claimer
Please mark your diaries for the 2018 St Patrick’s Eve Dinner to be held at the Pullman Hotel (formerly The Crest) on Friday 16 March 2018. Cost per person will be $150. Please start organising your tables now.
This highlight of the Irish Community year will recognise the 120th Anniversary of the foundation of the Queensland Irish Association on 23 March 1898.
Jeff Spender
President