Newsletters
The Irish Press
Tús maith leath na hoibre.
(A good start is half the work)
June 2026
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
This is a reminder that one of the most important events on our calendar is approaching. It occurs at 3.30pm on Sunday 28 June.
Our Annual General Meeting is important for three key reasons:
- It is your chance to select those responsible for the management of your organisation
- You can hear from the Management Committee how they think it has operated, and hold them to account for that performance
- You can help set ‘the agenda’ for the next 12 months, and set expectations for performance of the organisation.
So that’s the what and why: what about the where, the business? It will, of course, be at HVIS, 12 Raroa Road, and the Agenda is:
- Minutes from 2025
- Annual Reports
- Annual Financial Statements
- Conflicts of Interest
- Election of Committee
- Remits
- General Business
And the who? The meeting is open to ALL Members of HVIS, but only ADULT members have voting rights.
IS IT TIME YOU DID YOUR TURN?
YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU!
HVIS is run by Volunteers, and we all benefit from their efforts. But we are always in need of fresh volunteers to help with a myriad of tasks.
People often ask “What skills are you looking for?” And the short answer is: Any, and All! In a sense the key thing we need is a) a little of your time, and b) your willingness to help.
Could you help out on the Management Committee? All positions from President to Committee Members are up for election at the AGM in June. The Committee generally meets one evening a month, or as required.
Within the Committee there are various ‘roles’ – the obvious ones of President, Secretary, & Treasurer, but also a Bar sub-Committee, Welfare, Kitchen, Events management, or Maintenance. Oh, and “publicity”! What about taking over the Newsletters, or social media, or publicising events like Quiz Nights?
What about helping behind the Bar? We have a small group of regular volunteers, but “the more the merrier”! There is plenty of scope to help at Pot Lucks, or Fridays.
Is it time you put your hand up at the AGM? Speak to one of the current Committee.
NEW VIDEO FROM KIERAN HEGARTY
Kieran Hegarty tells me he his latest recording has dropped.
He says he wrote the ‘Kilmainham’ track “After a visit there in July 2025, I was deeply moved by the place...the stories...& the atmosphere that I experienced. The storyline is not unique but sadly one that is replicated in other countries around the world where there is domination & repression of people.”
You can see it for yourself.
KERRY DANCING SCHOOL CEILI
The Kerry School of Irish Dancing extends a warm invitation to the Kerry School of Irish Dancing Winter Céilí Fundraiser!
They promise a fantastic evening of Irish dancing, music, and good craic.
- Date: Saturday 20 June
- Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Venue: Hutt Valley Irish Club
- Tickets: $30 per person
A few things to note: 18+ event. Tickets are limited
See their Poster.
JOAN PRIOR AWARD FOR FOLK CREATIVES
If you have a youngster aged between 18 and 25 yrs old, Acoustic Routes (or Wellington Folk Centre) is keen to help them out.
They’re offering the Joan Prior Award For Folk Creatives. It carries a $500 prize.
For more info visit acousticroutes.org.nz/joan-prior-award-entry
Or email president@acousticroutes.org.nz
Applications close Sunday 9 August 2026.
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 9 July, from 7.30 pm. Their selection is Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner. 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.
IRELAND’S RAILWAY STATIONS
Did you know? In 1966, the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising, 15 train stations across Ireland were renamed in memory of the 16 men executed in 1916.
- Tralee Railway Station in Kerry became Casement Station,.
- Kingsbridge Station in Dublin became Heuston Station.
- Drogheda Station in Louth became MacBride Station.
- Westland Row Station in Dublin became Pearse Station after both Patrick and Willie Pearse.
- Wexford Station became O’Hanrahan Station.
- Glanmire Road Station in Cork became Kent Station.
- Galway Station became Ceannt Station.
- Limerick Station became Colbert Station.
- Sligo Station became Mac Diarmada Station.
- Waterford Station became Plunkett Station.
- Dundalk Station in Louth became Clarke Station.
- Kilkenny Station became Mac Donagh Station.
- Bray Station in Wicklow became Daly Station.
- Dun Laoghaire Station in Dublin became Mallin Station.
- Amiens Street Station in Dublin became Connolly Station.
CENSUS RECORDS
Have you tried to find your family in the 1926 Census records? Have a look – you might find it fun to look for your own relations!
ONLINE PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION 
Just in case you’ve lost the address of the online photo exhibition from the National Library of Ireland, I thought I’d repeat it for you. Have a look – it’s brilliant!
Their online collection is called “National Library of Ireland on The Commons” and you can subscribe to it yourself.
Mark Your Diaries
NOW !
| Friday 19 June | Music night |
| Friday 26 June | Family History evening |
| Sunday 28 June | Annual General Meeting (3.30) |
| Sunday 28 June | Pot Luck Dinner |
| Friday 3 July | Darts night |
| Thursday 9 July | Book Club |
COMINGS & GOINGS
Anne O’Carroll has passed on her new phone number; if you’d like to give her a call, you can reach her on 021 0839 8454.
Our thoughts and sympathy go out to Kathryn Gahan, and her wider family, after to passing of her mother, Peggy Murphy, recently.
And there are a few of our members taking off overseas in the near future: Darren McClure, Elaine McAlister and Murray Hill will be on the other side of the world for a few weeks. Safe travels and come back refreshed!
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS 2024-2025
Membership subscriptions are now due. Our thanks to those who’ve already paid their Subscription. If you haven’t paid yet, NOW is a good time to renew your membership for the financial year beginning 1 April 2026:
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.
Have you thought about making your payment by AUTOMATIC PAYMENT? Save yourself the bother of wondering “Have we paid our Subs yet?” Setting up a one-time auto-payment gives you certainty, and provides the Club with a better view of the likely income stream.
MEMBERSHIP REGISTER
We have begun a process to improve our Membership Records, so don’t be surprised if we get in touch to check on the status of your Subscription (Have you paid THIS YEAR?) and other details like address, phone number, or the ages of children.
REMINDER
If you’re meeting friends or guests at the Club, they need to sign the Visitors’ Book when they arrive.
POT LUCK ORGANISERS 2026
Our thanks to those who have volunteered to ‘host’ one of monthly Pot Luck Dinners. These remain one of our most popular events. If it’s your ‘turn’, you can download the Hosts’ CHECKLIST
GUESTS
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!
COUNTY GAZETTEER
Vital stats for each Irish County
County: Sligo / Contae Shligigh
Province: Connacht
County town: Sligo
Area: 710 sq mi (1,838 km2) (Rank: 22nd)
Highest elevation (Truskmore): 2,123 ft (647 m)
Population (2022): 70,198 (Rank: 27th)
Nickname: (Yeats Country)
Motto:Land of Heart's Desire
Website: Sligo County Council; Visit Sligo
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
