Hutt Valley Irish Society

The Irish Press

Is deacair a bheith ag feadaíl agus ag ithe mine.

(It is hard to whistle and eat at the same time)

March 2025

ST PATRICK’S DAY, 2025!

Just in case you've not yet noticed, St Patrick’s Day this year is a MONDAY!

One of the consequences of this is that Wellington Irish Society is staging their Parade on Sunday 16 March.

Parade

Like last year’s successful event, the Parade begins about 1pm, and will wend its way to Queens Wharf, under the Sails.

The Concert starts about 1.30pm, and will go on until about 4pm, with a wide range of performances, including our own HVIS Children’s Singing Group.

Of course, they need helpers throughout the day, so if you’re able to lend a hand, contact them ASAP.

As in previous years they welcome people joining in, so in particular if you have kids, why not give it a go?

And if you feel in need of refreshing drink afterwards, HVIS will be open throughout the evening.

So WHAT’S ON AT HVIS

A State Visitor

We are welcoming Minister of State Jerry Buttimer at HVIS about 3.30pm after the Concert on the Waterfront on Sunday 16 March. Jerry has responsibility for Community Development, Charities, and Rural Transport.

He plans to spend an hour or two at HVIS and is keen to meet a cross-section of our Members. So come along and help him get to know the vibrant Irish community in our part of the world.

THE DAY ITSELF

🕈 We’ll be open 2.30pm right through the EVENING
🕈 There will be CANOPIES up OUTSIDE for shade
🕈 Kids GAMES will be available
🕈 The BAR will be open inside
🕈 Food AT DINNER-TIME – stew, potatoes, cabbage & bacon
🕈 KIDS PERFORMANCES – singing, recitations
🕈 IRISH DANCING demonstration
🕈 Live MUSIC – Shindig will do their thing!

AND ELSEWHERE?

Golf Tournament: The Annual St Patrick’s Day Golf Tournament is being held at Judgeford Golf Course; Registration from 8am, with Shotgun start at 9.30am. Entry costs $45 (includes a light lunch). Help them out with catering & player numbers by registering with match@jgc.nz or phone (04) 235 7633. Download the attached Flyer and Entry Form.

The prestigious Wellington Cup will be presented to the winner at HVIS during the evening.

ROSE OF TRALEE

We are still keen to hear from anyone interested in entering the Rose of Tralee – an event which is a celebration of young women of Irish birth or descent. Entrants will go the National Final in May, at which a NZ Rose will be selected to represent the country at the International Festival in Tralee, Co Kerry, in August.

The entry criteria are on the Rose website.

If you know of anyone, encourage them to get in touch.

OFFICIAL WELCOME

The Embassy held an ‘Official Welcome’ for TD Jerry Buttimer a few days ago. While most of the occasion was networking opportunity, with delicious food and drink, and a small group of trad musicians providing background accompaniment, the show as stolen, as it were, by a group of HVIS youngsters.

Marshalled & lead by the irrepressible Alice Paul, the youngsters sang a short selection of songs, and while a little over-awed by the audience, managed to charm them with their determination to give it their best! Jerry agreed they were brilliant!

Well done, kids!!

BOOK CLUB

The Book Club is holding its next meeting on Thursday 10 April, from 7.30 pm. Their selection is Waiting by Ha Jin. If you’re interested in joining the group, or maybe starting your own, get a copy of the book to read, and just turn up to their session.

Mark Your Diaries
NOW !

COMINGS & GOINGS

Emma & Steve Kelliher (& family) had a hair-raising encounter with wild recently while visiting Steve’s family in Australia earlier this month. Fortunately they made it home safely.

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS 2024-2025

HVIS’ Financial Year ends on 31 March, which means, of course, that your subscription for the new year is now due. Our thanks to those who’ve already paid their Subscription. For everyone else:

1. See the website for Subscription rates
2. Make payments by DIRECT CREDIT to account number 06-0529-0416815-00. (Use your family name as the reference (or your phone number if you have to use numbers)
3. Tell us you’ve paid by completing the Renewal Form.

You’re of course welcome to invite friends to the Club, but when you do, why not suggest they join up? Especially if they are more or less ‘regular’ visitors. We have forms at the Club for new members, and the subscription rates are LOW!

POT LUCK ORGANISERS 2024

Our thanks to those who have volunteered to ‘host’ one of monthly Pot Luck Dinners. These remain one of our most popular events.

Download the Hosts’ CHECKLIST

VOLUNTEERS

HVIS runs on the efforts of VOLUNTEERS. So we’re always looking for people to help out. Which means it is time for you to ask yourself: What can I do to help? Working in the Kitchen, cleaning, catering, helping with events, music, opening up, lighting, publicity, social media management, maintenance, governance. Any / all of the above? Do you have an idea for a specific event? Can you organise it?

Could you help out on the Management Committee? Could you help out on the Management Committee? All positions from President to Committee Members are up for election at the AGM in June. Give it some thought!

What about helping behind the Bar? We have a small group of volunteers, but “the more the merrier”! We’ll be employing staff for St Patrick’s Day, but there is plenty of scope to help at other times, especially Fridays, & other Functions.

Let us know how you can help.

REMINDER

If you’re meeting friends or guests at the Club, they need to sign the Visitors’ Book when they arrive.

COUNTY GAZETTEER

Vital stats for each Irish County

County: Kildare / Contae Chill Dara
Province: Leinster
County town: Naas
Area: 654 sq mi (1,695 km2) (Rank: 24th)
Highest elevation (Cupidstown Hill): 1,243 ft (379 m)
Population (2022): 246,977 (Rank: 7th)
Nickname: (“The Thoroughbred County”)
Motto:“Meanma agus Misneach" Spirit and Courage"
Website: Kildare County Council; Kildare Failte