Newsletters
The Irish Press
Níor chuaigh fial riamh go hIfreann.
(No generous person ever went to hell)
April 2025
ST PATRICK’S DAY, 2025!
It’s now almost a month since St Patrick’s Day, and the memories are starting to fade (or is that just my advancing years? Probably!)
But it’s fun to look back, and see who else was present, and what happened. So we have photos of the Embassy reception for Minister Jerry Buttimer, and his visit to HVIS, the Parade, and OPEN HOUSE at HVIS. See all the pictures.
QUIZ NIGHT
Mark “10 May” on your calendars. And get out your encyclopedia & almanacs, because that is the date for the next world-famous HVIS QUIZ NIGHT!
Karl Hayes has volunteered to act as Quiz-Master, so he’ll be challenging your memories as well as your forgeteries!
Doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30 start, entry will cost $10 a head, & you should bring gold coins so you can “cheat”.
RAFFLE
Margaret Ricketts has, again, put together a magnificent Gift Basket, as a donation, for us to RAFFLE. Tickets cost $2 (or 3 for $5). But you can only buy them at the Club, and your last chance is THIS FRIDAY EVENING. Even though it’s Good Friday, we’ll be open like any other Friday.
You can’t win if you don’t have a ticket!
PAISTI POST
Christchurch Irish Society produces a magazine aimed at children (young adults?) a couple of times each year, and send us a bundle ‘hot off the press’!
They are placed conspicuously on the table by the door, and you’re invited to take a copy for yourself, at not cost to you or to HVIS!
So whether you have youngsters who may be interested or you’d like to take a little time seeing for yourself what gems they contain, please do so, and give a ‘Thank you’ to Christchurch Irish Society.
HVIS LIBRARY?
Have you had a look at the Library recently?
We have done a small ‘cull’ of books which appeared not to be of any interest to members. We have also invested some money in buying a number of books written for specifically children.
You might be surprised by what you find!
These appear to have been popular for some of them have been borrowed, and haven’t yet been returned – if you have them, please return them so they can be enjoyed by others.
In case you’re not sure, ALL of the books on the shelves are available to be borrowed, and returned (of course!) All we ask is that you make a note in the notebook of your name & contact details, the title borrowed, and the date borrowed.
LOST (LEFT ) PROPERTY?
Take a closer look at these two coats. They have been left at the Club, and I’m sure they will be missed as the weather glides into winter.
The one on the left is camel-coloured, Glassons brand and S size. The one on the right is water- or shower-proof, and size XL.
They are in a cupboard at the Club, so if you think they belong to you drop and ask at the Bar to have a look at them.
AND STILL ON THE TOPIC OF CLOTHING …
We have been given a large-size (XXL) polo-shirt.
It is Guinness Rugby branded and looks to have been worn only a few times. And it’s looking for a ‘good home’
So if you think it would suit (or fit) you, call into the Club and take a look at it. It’s yours if you’re the first to lay claim to it!
ANZAC DAY
Anzac Day is this year on a Friday. We will be represented by a group of youngsters who will lay a wreath on our behalf in memory of Irish men & women who lost their lives in armed conflict.
As I’m sure everyone knows, I am New Zealand born, of Irish (& other) ancestry. At Anzac Day, I remember my family members who gave their lives in the 2 World Wars; they were, like me, born in New Zealand with Irish ancestry. I think it is also worth us all remembering that:
| New Zealand | Ireland |
|---|---|
| population approx. 1.1 million (1914) | population approx. 4.38m (1911) |
| Gallipoli: 8,556 landed 2,721 killed |
Gallipoli: ☘ Royal Dublin Fusiliers, ☘ Munster Fusiliers, ☘ Inniskilling Fusiliers 3,411 killed or missing |
| 100,000 New Zealanders served overseas 1914-18 | Approx. 206,000 Irishmen served 1914-18 |
| Around 18,000 New Zealanders died | Approx 49,400 Irishmen were killed |
Whatever our view of the rights and wrongs, I believe those who died deserve to be remembered because they gave their lives doing what they believed was right or necessary.
BOOK CLUB
“Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.” - Malorie Blackman
The Book Club is holding its next meeting on Thursday 10 April, from 7.30 pm. Their selection is H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald. 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 !
| Friday 25 April | Anzac Day |
| Friday 25 April | Music night |
| Sunday 27 April | Pot Luck Dinner |
| Friday 2 May | Darts night |
| Thursday 8 May | Book Club |
| Saturday 10 May | Quiz Night |
COMINGS & GOINGS
We farewelled our good mates Declan Duggan & Catriona Gill, who have decided it was time to return ‘home’. We wish them well in the next stage of their lives, and hope we’ll see tham again soon – here or there!
Congratulations to Eleanor O’Toole who ran her first Marathon in Christchurch at the weekend, in 3 hours 50 minutes! Well done! AND she’s off overseas in early May!
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS 2024-2025
Our thanks to those who’ve already paid their Subscription. Now is also the time to renew your membership of HVIS for the financial year beginning 1 April 2025:
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! And remember: an AUTOMATIC PAYMENT is Easy as …!
A TRIP TO IRELAND
We have received the following offer:
“I am on a business trip to Aberdeen around June and want to visit Ireland again so I am looking to take an Irish woman with me as a travelling companion / tour guide travelling just as friends. Having travelled throughout Ireland on my trip a couple of years ago with an Irish friend I would really like to travel back home again.
It is a legitimate offer - as my LinkedIn profile below can verify: www.linkedin.com/in/joe-goodin-64102124
I am reaching out to Irish women in NZ who might be interested in meeting me, see if we enjoy the craic and go on an adventure together for a couple of weeks?”
If you think you might be interested, email goodinjoe@gmail.com or call + 64 (0) 276 88 53 72.
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
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: Kilkenny / Contae Chill Chainnigh
Province: Leinster
County town: Kilkenny
Area: 800 sq mi (2,073 km2) (Rank: 16th)
Highest elevation (Brandon Hill): 1,690 ft (515 m)
Population (2022): 103,685 (Rank: 21st)
Nickname: (“The Marble County”)
Website: Kilkenny County Council; Visit Kilkenny
Notices
You've found us at:
http://www.huttirish.org.nz
Keep in touch at:
: look for @huttirish.
: look for huttirish.
: www.facebook.com/huttvalleyirish
Remember the Hall is available for Hire to members. All this helps your Club financially, so recommend us to your friends.
Don’t forget the Club is open every Friday 7.30 p.m. to 1 am, and at other times by request.
Published by: Hutt Valley Irish Society.
12 Raroa Rd, Lower Hutt, Phone: (04) 569-6139
info@huttirish.org.nz
