Hutt Valley Irish Society

The Irish Press

Ní tír gan teanga.

(There is no nation without a language)

December 2024

FROM THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Shona Nollaig, Meri Kirihimete, Merry Christmas

2024 has been a busy, and generally successful year, with a wide range of activities and functions, with good attendances.

We have also seen some significant losses from our community.

To our members, thank for your continuing support of HVIS, and we wish you all the best for the holiday season. May it be filled with kindness, fun and relaxation with those you value most, and we look forward to hearing about your summer adventures at The Club in the New Year.

When Christmas is over of course it's just a short stretch to St Patrick's day and more celebrations, so stay in touch.

Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Duit

NEW YEAR, NEW PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

The New Year is almost here, and we have been working on a busy programme of events and activities for the year ahead.

We’ll make sure you are kept well advised of what’s coming up, but keep an eye out, especially, for events to mark St Brigid's Day, and in the leadup to St Patricks Day, “Remembering Family Stories” evenings, Quiz Nights, and Golf Tournaments. And we’re continuing the usual Pot Luck dinners and Friday evening sessions.

ST BRIGID’S DAY POT LUCK

We’re starting the year as we mean to go on – with a ‘bang’!

And that means our first Pot Luck Dinner for the year will mark St Brigid’s Day.

Mark Sunday 26 January on your Calendar, as your opportunity to acknowledge St Brigid, and to elevate and retell women’s stories, whether you see Brigid as Christian saint, as an ancient Irish goddess, or as a symbol for something that has more modern resonance.

BARLEY SHAKES!

And then on Sunday 9 February we’re bringing a rousing music show to our members.

Alan & Kristin Kelly are two founding members of Irish powerhouse band the Barleyshakes. They bring upbeat sounds of Ireland on sweet sensuous fiddle and spirited guitar. The ‘Shakes will take you on a journey from Ireland’s happier pre-famine days, and follow with songs of emigration, desperation, resilience, and struggle.

Their music will have you laughing, crying, singing, and dancing.

$20 / per person entry. 6pm to 8pm. Cash Bar available.

BAKED SALMON

It’s the season for ‘special treats’ and family meals. So here’s a recipe with more than a ‘taste of Ireland’! It will feed eight to ten people and makes a fine party piece.

Ingredients

Method

Clean and descale the salmon, cut off the head and tail and trim the fins. Stuff the parsley into the gullet. Butter some aluminium foil and form a loose envelope round the fish, sealing both ends but leaving the top open for the moment. Dot the rest of the butter over the salmon, season and pour over the cider and the cream. Now seal the foil along the top, leaving only a small vent.

Bake in the oven for about 75 minutes at gas mark 4, 350°F, 180°C.

When ready, take from the oven, remove the skin and reduce the sauce by boiling, stirring all the time.

Serve with boiled new potatoes and fresh garden peas.

CHAIRS

The are many people to thank for the purchase and selection of the new chairs. Most importantly the new chairs are the result of the Emigrant Support Programme funded by the Irish Government. It is thanks to the generous funding by that scheme we have fresh new chairs.

Thanks also to Mel and Shirley who worked to provide quotes and the (successful) application form. Darren provided examples for us to consider.

Thanks to Bryan who devised a voting system for members to indicate their preferences. Ann Coffey looked carefully at health and safety, leading to two chairs being rejected as likely to tip over.

To all involved, thank you for your efforts, we hope you enjoy the chairs for many years to come.

SLIDES NOW OBSOLETE

A reminder that if, amongst your (wider) family’s collection of archives and photos, there are boxes of slides of family gatherings and holidays, which you can no longer view because you don’t have a projector, all is not lost!

Get in touch with me, tell me what you’ve got, and we’ll work out how you can get them to me to digitise for you. And at NO COST!

HOW FAR BACK DOES YOUR FAMILY GO!

I recently issued a challenge to HVIS members: how far back can you trace your Family History. I had only a small number of responses, and one of them, from Sue Ikin, persuaded me that she can trace her family back to the early-mid 1600s. Impressive. So I’ll be sending Sue a voucher to spend at Bella Italia in Petone.

And if you’re interested, my benchmark is a branch of my family, from whom I have a direct line of connection to the Klaarwaters, who can be traced in Holland as far back as 1510. That means my children can trace their family history unbroken through 15 generations!

BOOK CLUB

The Book Club is holding its next meeting on Thursday 13 February, from 7.30 pm. Their selection is Holding by Graham Norton. 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

I have been told that our Patron Anne O’Carroll is facing some health challenges at present. We’re thinking of you Anne!

I would ask that all Members take a moment to remember those we have lost during this past year. The passing of each of our elderly leaves a gap of wisdom, friendship, experience, and collective memory.

HOLIDAY PERIOD OPENINGS

Friday 20 December, Friday 27 December, Sunday 29 December, Friday 3 January, and Sunday 5 January, and each Friday from then on. Other evenings by request.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR ON THE RADIO

Hear Alice “interview” our Children’s Choir on Radio.

ROSE OF TRALEE

Does HVIS have any aspiring entrants? When you catch-up with family and friends over the holiday season, why not cast your eye over potential candidates and have a quiet chat with them about entering the Rose?

If you know of anyone, encourage them to get in touch with roseco-ordinator@huttirish.org.nz.

The likely date for the 2025 NZ Rose selection is the first weekend in May, in Christchurch. But the earlier candidates identify themselves, the more assistance we can offer.

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!

REMINDER

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

VOLUNTEERS

HVIS is run by VOLUNTEERS – people just LIKE YOU!

So ask yourself: In 2025, what can I DO to help keep my Irish Society thriving? And then GET IN TOUCH.

COUNTY GAZETTEER

Vital stats for each Irish County

County: Galway / Contae na Gaillimhe
Province: Connacht
County town: Galway
Area: 2,375 sq mi (6,151 km2) (Rank: 2nd)
Highest elevation (Benbaun): 2,392 ft (729 m)
Population (2022): 276,451 (Rank: 5th)
Nickname: (“The Tribesmen”)
Motto:“Ceart agus Cóir" "Righteousness and Justice"
Website: Galway County Council or Galway Tourism)