About Us

The Geelong Irish Society traces its beginnings to 1964, when a very dedicated few people used to get together in the basement of a house in Maud Street, Geelong, to have a few drinks and to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

All of these people are the forebears of what is now known as the Geelong Irish Society Inc:

• Mr Finbar Murphy
• Paddy and Madge Hickey
• Paddy Hoare
• Ernie and Eileen Dessent
• Jerry and Kathleen O'Neill
• Brother John Keane, from the Monastery at Lovely Banks

Some four or five years later, in a basement room at the Trades Hall in Myers Street, a meeting was held and the Geelong Irish Society was formed. Over the years many people came along to the meetings and the impromptu get togethers, where on one occasion Brother John, who dabbled in rearing pigs, brought along plates of pickled pork, roast pork and plenty of bread and butter for supper.

Where we are today

Since then the Irish community in Geelong has grown substantially, and we now have well over 100 families in our community. We aim to encourage and promote, by appropriate means, Irish national and cultural heritage, and to enhance Irish Australian relations socially.

During the year we hold regular events and publish monthly newsletters which are distributed among our members. Our events include family days, dances, bus trips, trivia nights and other great get togethers.

Some of our members visit nursing homes and put on small concerts. They also help out other communities and charities.

Recent years have seen an increase in members due to migration, and we always welcome more.