Sail into Samhain

Family friendly Samhain Celebration

Embrace the Samhain spirit as the Prankqueans join forces with Irish artist Anthony Quinn for a festive celebration filled with creative fun. Capture the essence of otherworldly creatures through your phone camera, inspired by Anthony's vivid drawings rooted in Irish mythology. Dive into the seasonal madness with mask-making and ancient Irish Halloween traditions and games. The evening will culminate in a captivating Prankquean concert. Enjoy a traditional Irish Samhain meal of colcannon, accompanied by a selection of drinks.

Date: Saturday 2 November 2024 (5.30 - 8.00pm)
Times: Meal (Samhain Stew), drinks & Samhain activities from 5.30 - 6.45pm
Concert: 7.00 -8.00pm
Venue: Woollahra Sailing Club (a short walk from Rose Bay Ferry)

(Unfortunately, the only dietary requirement we can cater for is vegetarian).

25% of the ticket proceeds will go towards the Irish Support Agency. 

The Irish Support Agency invites you, your family, and friends to join us for our Annual Mass of Remembrance on Saturday 2nd November, when we call to mind our loved ones who have passed away.

At our annual Mass, we gather in a special way to commemorate the deceased members of the Irish and Irish Australian communities.

The death of someone you love is always traumatic. Their passing leaves a void in your life and home. We turn to family and friends to console us in our grieving.

As a community, we will gather to support each other and turn to God in prayer for our deceased loved ones at our Annual Remembrance Mass.

If you have lost someone throughout the last year and would like their name mentioned during the Mass, please contact us at admin@irishsupportagency.org.au before Thursday 31st October 2024 including the name of the deceased.

The ISA is delighted to be partnering with Sydney Queer Irish and Sydney St Patrick’s Day Organisation to bring you the spookiest, craziest quiz night of the year!

Get ready for the spookiest, craziest quiz night of the year! Hosted by the fabulous Quizmaster Portia Turbo, with jaw-dropping performances by drag sensations Virgo and Sandy Bottom, plus surprise guests in an Irish pagan-themed extravaganza! Monster Raffles and more.

Date: Thursday, 31st October, doors at 630pm for 7pm Show Time!
Venue: Paddington RSL Auditorium
Capacity: 250 – Don’t miss out!

Come dressed in your best Halloween costume, test your knowledge, and enjoy a night of fun, laughter, and a whole lot of craic! Whether you’re here to win or just for the craic, this is one night you won’t forget.

Grab your tickets now – it’s going to be a scream!

Tables of 4 or 6

*or Single Tickets available (a great way to meet new people)

All money raised will be equally split between Irish Support Agency, Sydney St Patrick's Family Day and Sydney Queer Irish, proudly working together to bring you a night to remember.

Learn baby and child CPR and first aid with expert facilitators

Over approximately 3 hours, paediatric nurses share with you their years of experience in a wide range of situations, and there is lots of hands on practice during the class. The entire group will get the chance to put evidence-based theory into practice on the lifelike baby and child CPR manikins. You will all learn how to give CPR and what to do in case of drowning, fever, burns, choking, poisoning, head injuries and more.

Can’t find a babysitter? No problem! Babies and breastfeeding are welcome in all our classes, as are other children. We will have a dedicated child minder onsite to take care of any children in the playroom.

About CPR Kids

As paediatric nurses (and parents ourselves), we know that children can get themselves into all sorts of trouble, in the blink of an eye. And they do. You barely have time to think, but your child will be relying on you.

Our expert paediatric nurse educators are truly passionate about baby first aid, and give you skills and knowledge so that when the time comes, you can take charge and be confident to help your child in an emergency. We pride ourselves on being recommended by leading maternity hospitals and obstetricians.

SPACES ARE LIMITED, REGISTER NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.

THIS TRAINING IS FREE OF CHARGE, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU CAN NO LONGER ATTEND, PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP SO WE CAN FREE UP THE SPACE.

The Irish Support Agency would like to thank and acknowledge The Sisterhood Project for generously providing the funding that makes this community event possible.

CESPHN has commissioned the delivery of suicide prevention training courses which includes free access to this incredible training.

SafeTALK: a half-day in person workshop, LivingWorks SafeTALK helps participants recognise a person with thoughts of suicide and connects them with resources who can help them stay safe. Participants don’t need any formal preparation to attend the training—anyone aged 15 or older who wants to help create a suicide safer community can learn the simple safeTALK steps.

It is widely accepted that providing suicide prevention training to ‘community connectors’ in the community decreases suicide rates, and it is recommended by the United Nations and the World Health Organisation.

Delivered by Irish Psychologist Dr. Joe Tighe.

Date: Sunday 13th October

Time: 9.30am

Meeting Point: North Ryde Metro Station 

Transport: 
Metro from the City to North Ryde Metro Station 

Route: Our next walk will take place in the beautiful Lane Cove National Park. 

Only 20 minutes from Sydney CBD, Lane Cove National Park is a beautiful pocket of bushland that sits on either side of the peaceful Lane Cove River, it's within easy reach for Sydneysiders. 

Walking: 

• Distance and time: 5km one-way

• Level: Grade 3 track. Suitable for most ages and fitness levels, some scrambling required. There are also sections of sand, bush tracks and boardwalk. Not suitable for prams or wheelchair users.

• Dogs not allowed.
  

Date: Sunday 15th September, 2024

Time: 9.30am

Meeting Point: Spit Bridge Reserve (near the bus stop) 

Transport: 
The B1 bus departs Wynyard Station every 5-10 minutes. 

Route: Explore one of Sydney Harbour’s most beautiful walking tracks, the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk. The route hugs the coastline, offering expansive harbour views while juxtaposing harbour-side homes with Aboriginal sites.There are great views both directly of the harbour and with glimpses of the harbour through the lush vegetation that encompasses the track. In addition there is plenty to see along the track with a good range of wildlife and native flora that is totally unexpected in a city of this size so bring your camera. It’s worthwhile bringing your swimming gear so in the warmer months you can take a dip at Manly Beach at the trail end or at several beaches along the way.

Walking: 

• Distance and time: 10km one-way, 3.5-4 hours.

• Level: Grade 3 track. Suitable for most ages and fitness levels with occasional sections of stairs. There are also sections of sand, bush tracks and boardwalk. Not suitable for prams or wheelchair users.

• Dogs not allowed.

• Toilet facilities at the start and end of the walk and at Clontarf Reserve, Reef Beach, Forty Baskets Beach, North Harbour Reserve and Fairlight Beach.

• Drinking fountains are available at Clontarf Reserve, Fairlight Beach and Manly.
  

From 6pm, join us at The Treehouse Hotel, North Sydney for the ultimate Irish feast by candlelight all in aid of the Irish Support Agency NSW Inc.

• Three course menu

• Live music

• 3 hour beverage package

• The Guinness shall flow, the music shall play and the craic will be 90

THE DAY

The Treehouse in North Sydney are thrilled to announce the return of their Guinness and Oyster festival on Saturday 7th September 2024.

From 11.30am - 4pm enjoy:

• Live music from a gaggle of session musicians

• Fresh oysters

• Creamy pints of the black stuff

• Writers Tears whiskey

• Delicious seafood

• Irish dancing

• Oyster shucking comp

• Guinness pouring comp

• Hurling

• Kielty's Irish Sauces

• Haircuts from Feel Good Project to raise money for Irish Support Agency NSW Inc.

• Sparkling wine bar

Join the Irish Support Agency's community book club which meets on the last Thursday of each month at 6pm in the Gaelic Club, Surry Hills.

A book club is a lovely way to discover new books and to meet new people!

This month we are reading ‘‘My Brilliant Friend’’ by Elena Ferrante.

Next meeting will take place on Thursday 29th August.

Irish psychotherapist, artist, and poet Georgie Igoe invites you to explore how to live with shame with curiosity and compassion. 

This workshop is for anyone of Irish descent interested in personal growth and a gentle, impactful time to reflect, and connect with yourself and others over some Barry's Tea and brown soda bread. 

Georgie will facilitate a group process exploring: 

• Understanding shame: what shame is and how it manifests in our bodies, parenting, work, relationships and within ourselves

• Amplifying emotions: learn how certain responses can intensify feelings of shame such as ‘shaming the shame’

• Culture connection: how connecting with culture can help break generational cycles of shame

• Practical tools: Use creative and practical methods to explore and alleviate these emotions 

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Irish Support Agency. 

Join us for an intimate evening with Caoilinn Hughes as we discuss her latest book "The Alternatives" with Professor Elizabeth McMahon!

Held on Wednesday 7th of August from 6pm - 8pm, all proceeds will go to the Irish Support Agency NSW Inc. A massive thank you to the The Ireland Funds Australia for their help in organising.

Hughes is following on to the Byron Writers Festival on the 9th of August and we hope some of you can make it!

Get tickets below.

A fundraising trivia night in aid of the Irish Support Agency

Join us at the Tea Gardens on Wednesday 19th June at 7pm for a traditional tráth na gceist.

This will be a trivia night filled with questions, music rounds, pictures and amazing prizes to be won.

Tickets available for individuals and tables of 4 and 6. To ensure you get a spot, please pre-book, we cannot guarantee tickets at the door on the night.

All of the funds raised will go towards the Irish Support Agency’s client support services.

Open Mic Night - hosted by the Prankqueans and MC's Don Conlon and Philip Cronin. 

Attendees are invited to celebrate the extraordinary life of James Joyce through readings, songs and musical compositions inspired by Joyce, Ulysses and Dublin. 

(Participants are asked to limit their contributions to 5 minutes.)

Ticket entry is by donation only to the Irish Support Agency NSW. 

Join the Irish Support Agency's community book club which meets on the last Thursday of each month at 6pm in the Gaelic Club, Surry Hills.

A book club is a lovely way to discover new books and to meet new people!

This month we are reading ‘‘What happened to Nina’’ by Dervla McTiernan. Award-winning, number one bestseller Dervla McTiernan has established herself as one of the biggest names in crime fiction.

Next meeting will take place on Thursday 30th May.

The Irish Support Agency cordially invites our Volunteers, Lifetime and Annual Members to attend our Volunteer and Members Evening on

Wednesday 22nd May, 6pm-9pm. 

The Irish Support Agency now has over 250 volunteers and members! 

Some of you have been a part of the family for many years, and some of you have recently joined us. 

The Volunteer and Members Evening will provide an opportunity for you all to meet and get to know each other, whilst the ISA will update you on the work that we have recently completed.

Please reserve your spot below or call Una on 0412 324 396. 

Attendees are welcome to bring one guest with them on the night. 

Food and drinks will be provided. 

If you are not a member and would like to sign up for only $20 per year, $11 concession, you can sign up below and we would be delighted to welcome you to the networking evening! 

Date: Sunday 21st April, 2024

Time: 9.30am

Meeting Point: Man O’War Steps - Sydney Opera House

Transport: 
Circular Quay is accessible by most public transport options - train, bus and ferry.

Route: An oasis of 30-hectares in the heart of the city.

Wrapped around Sydney Harbour and adjacent to the Sydney Opera House, the gardens occupy one of Sydney's most spectacular positions. It is one of Sydney’s most beautiful and alluring destinations, with everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the abundant natural beauty. 

Established in 1816, it is the oldest scientific institution in the country and is home to an outstanding collection of plants from Australia and overseas.

From the provocative rare and threatened plants of the world to the romantic rose garden, the themed garden areas show the diverse beauty of nature.

Duration: Walking 1.5 hours loop track.
Accessibility: This route is predominantly flat, dogs and prams are both welcomed.

A Women's Mental Health Event

Saturday 20th April, Randwick Community Centre
9.30am-2.30pm

This event will focus on why women should, and need to prioritise their mental health. 

Featuring leading mental health practitioners and industry experts as well as community members courageously sharing their lived experience story.

Guest Speakers & Topics

• Settling in and breathwork - Lucia Ward

• Self-Love Project - Shannen O'Hara

• Shame and Grief - Georgie Igoe

• Separation, Divorce and Parenting Rights - Ruth Hennigan

• Empowerment through financial wellbeing - Amie Baker

• Fertility Challenges - Beyond the Silence - Orlaith Sheill 

• Lived experience panel - Moderated by Irish Psychologist Emer McDermott, with Tina King Garde, Caroline McSorley and Fionnuala Wylie.

 
Ticket price includes lunch and refreshments.

If you can't afford the ticket fee please email Una at project@irishsupportagency.org.au.
Don't let cost be a barrier, get in touch and we will facilitate it anonymously.

This event is proudly supported by Randwick Council and Vaughan Civil.

About our Speakers and Contributors:
 
Lucia Ward - Lucia is a trauma-informed Pilates Instructor and Breathwork Facilitator, from Derry, Ireland and currently based in Sydney. She teaches both Mat and Reformer Pilates and offers Breathwork to support client’s connection to their body and their mind.

Shannen O'Hara - Shannen is a Self Love & Mindset Coach, Breathwork facilitator, Icebath Coach and Yoga Teacher. Shannen specialises in holistic coaching, guiding individuals on a journey from self doubt to self love, nurturing within them a resounding ‘yes I can mindset’ that empowers them to embrace their full potential with true confidence.

Georgie Igoe - Relational Gestalt Therapist | Social Worker Clinical Supervisor | NSW Victim Services Counsellor | Visual Artist. Georgie is an Irish psychotherapist, artist and poet. 

Ruth Hennigan -Ruth is committed to helping families embroiled in family law disputes resolve their issues as amicably and swiftly as possible with the clear knowledge that the families whose lives we touch must co-exist long after our role has concluded.  

• Bachelor of Civil Law (University College Dublin)

• Admitted Solicitor, Supreme Court of NSW and High Court of Australia

• Member, Law Society NSW

Amie Baker -  Amie Baker is an esteemed financial adviser and renowned Money Mindset Coach, recognised for her outstanding contributions to the field of finance and empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Amie's journey is marked by resilience, determination, and a relentless passion for helping others achieve financial freedom. Amie Baker's accolades include:
• Winner of the prestigious Female Excellence in Advice Award in 2022.
• Only woman to win the IFA Excellence in Advice Award for Investment Adviser of the Year in 2023.

Órlaith Sheill - Órlaith is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Accredited Supervisor with PACFA,  with over 20 years of experience as a counsellor, clinical supervisor, group facilitator, educator and speaker. Órlaith has extensive experience in the area of grief, loss and trauma having worked at the Post Adoption Resource Centre (The Benevolent Society), in Palliative Care, as a Fertility Counsellor and as a Bereavement Counsellor at Rednose supporting those grieving sudden unexpected death in babies and children, stillbirth, pregnancy loss, termination and neonatal death. 

Join us for our monthly Irish community book club.

A book club is a lovely way to discover new books and to meet new people! The book club meets on the last Thursday of each month in The Gaelic Club, Surry Hills.

This month we are reading ‘‘The Silent Patient’’ by Alex Michaelides. The Silent Patient is a 2019 psychological thriller novel.

Next meeting will be on the Thursday 18th April at 6pm

Everyone is welcome, please sign up below.

Seniors Day Trip

The Irish Support Agency is delighted to host our Seniors Day Trip. The trip is offered free of charge to ISA Members.

This year we will be visiting beautiful Manly and North Head Quarantine Station. The first known use of North Head as a quarantine site was in August 1828 with the detaining of the convict ship Bussorah Merchant when a number of crew became infected with smallpox. The average time of quarantine at North Head was three weeks.

The station was further developed as a complex to include accommodation blocks, hospital wards and morgue, as well as an administration centre, and it remained in operation until the early 1980s. During its life 580 ships were detained at North Head and more than 13,000 people were quarantined.

Meeting Point: Irish Support Agency, 64 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills

Time: 9.20am (or 9.45am at Circular Quay, Wharf 2)

Transport:  Ferry from Circular Quay Wharf 2 to Manly at 10am

We will then take a shuttle bus from Manly Wharf to North Head Reserve and spend 45 minutes exploring the area and historic buildings. 

Lunch at Ivanhoe Hotel at 12.30pm. 

Depart Manly at 2pm; arrive Circular Quay at 2.22pm. 

Places are limited, so to reserve your space, call Una on 0412 324 396.

Date: Sunday 24th March 2024

Time: 9.30am

Meeting Point: Balmain East Wharf

Transport: 
Bus number 442 regularly departs from the QVB. 
Ferries regularly depart from Circular Quay, Wharf 5 or 6
Most of the parking is restricted to 30 minutes or 2 hours. Find a park near Balmain Bowling Club for free all-day parking.

Route: Navigate through the backstreets until you hit the water. The walk does not hug the foreshore for the entire distance, and consists of a mix of waterfronts and backstreets lined with 19th Century sandstone cottages and Victorian townhouses. This walk has it all; stunning views of the city, heritage buildings, and a beautiful swimming opportunity at Dawn Fraser Baths. 

Please note, there is a $6.60 fee for adults to swim at Dawn Fraser Baths, Senior Card Holder / Full-time Student - $3.50.

Duration: Walking 2-3 hours loop track, walk will complete at Balmain.
Accessibility: This route is predominantly flat however this is a heritage suburb and there will be some steps to climb. 
Dogs are welcome.  

Join us for our monthly Irish community book club.

A book club is a lovely way to discover new books and to meet new people! The book club meets on the last Thursday of each month in The Gaelic Club, Surry Hills.

This month we are reading ‘‘Khaki Town’’ by Judy Nunn. The No.1 bestseller is a breathtaking historical novel set in Queensland during World War II.

Next meeting will be on the 3rd Thursday due to Easter Break- Thursday 21st March at 6pm

Everyone is welcome, please sign up below.

Suicide Prevention Workshop

Sunday 10th March, 10am-1pm, The Gaelic Club, Surry Hills

We can never underestimate the impact that every life lost to suicide has on family, friends, workplaces and the broader community.

1 in 2 young people are impacted by suicide by the time they turn 25.

This 3-hour training provided by educAid Au and in partnership with @LivingWorks Australia , teaches and empowers individuals (aged 15 and above) to:

• Challenge community attitudes that prevent open talk about suicide in a culturally safe setting.

• Identify when a person is having thoughts of suicide.

• Confidently engage this person in direct and open talk about suicide.

• Connect them with safety connections in your community who can complete a suicide safety plan.

The ISA in association with Sydney Community Safe Space Inc , is delighted to offer this training to all members of the Irish Australian community free of charge.

This course is NESA accredited for teachers and CPD hours with the Australian Counselling Association and the Australian Psychological Society.

Registrations are essential.

Join us for our monthly Irish community book club.

A book club is a lovely way to discover new books and to meet new people! The book club meets on the last Thursday of each month in The Gaelic Club, Surry Hills.

This month we are reading ‘‘Monkey Grip’’ by Helen Garner.

Everyone is welcome, please sign up below.

Date: Sunday 18th February 2024

Time: 9.30am

Meeting Point: Centennial Homestead

Transport: Ample parking available in Centennial Park. 
Public transport regularly departs from the CBD and Eastern Suburbs. 
Moore Park Light Rail Station is a 10 minute walk. 

Route:  Covering 189 hectares, Centennial Park features historic buildings, formal gardens, ponds, grand avenues and statues.  The Grand Drive circuit is 3.6 kilometres, and is relatively flat. We will then walk via Queens Park towards Bronte, where we will hopefully have a quick dip in the ocean pool. 

Duration: Walking 2-3 hours

Michael Lyons is a well known member of the Sydney Irish Community and also one of the early founding members of the ISA (or IAWB as it was then).   For many years he was the presenter on the 2SER radio programme Sydney Irish Radio.   A successful businessman and participant on many committees, Michael is also a JP, pastoral care worker and a member of the United Irish Ex Services group.

Michael has been in ill health for the past year or so and one of the things he  mentioned was that he'd love to have a get together of people in the community so a group of people headed by Chris Cunningham have come together to organise an "Irish afternoon". It's a daytime event event including afternoon tea, with some music and recognition of Michael. 

Women's Health Matters is a female focused informational event which aims to shine a light on the common health issues encountered by women of all ages.

Women’s health really does matter. So why is it so often overlooked?
This event aims to build awareness around women’s health conditions and bring them to the forefront of discussion. We believe it should be common practice to speak about women’s health conditions. Women should be empowered to take control over their own health, and that they don’t have to accept their symptoms. 

We will be joined by expert panellists including McGrath Metastatic Breast Care Clinical Nurse Consultant, Specialist Fertility Doctor and Nurse Practitioner. Topics covered include:
 ✓Breast Checks
 ✓Smear Tests
 ✓Fertility Issues
 ✓Age related health checks
 ✓Advocating for your health

Come along to join like minded women learn more about their bodies, how we can advocate for our health and get to the bottom of what might be going on. 

Ticket price includes light refreshments. 

Date: Sunday 28th January 2024

Time: 9am

Meeting Point: Circular Quay, Wharf 5

Accessibility: This route is flat, however, Cockatoo Island is a former industrial site with cliffs and steep drops as well as occasional unmarked and uneven surfaces, voids and trip hazards. To ensure you enjoy your visit, please mind your step, wear appropriate footwear, stay alert for the presence of vehicles and construction activity, and keep a close watch on any children with you. The lower island is generally suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Owing to the island’s industrial heritage, however, there are uneven surfaces as well as some buildings not accessible by wheelchair.  

Unfortunately dogs are not allowed.   

Route:  Just is a short ferry ride from the city centre, this is a great day out exploring what was once one of Australia's biggest shipyards and is now part museum part cultural centre.

A major drawcard is the UNESCO World Heritage listed Convict Site, which provides a window into the era when Cockatoo Island was a convict gaol (1839-69). Remnant structures from the island’s penal establishment (1839–1869) offer a window into a period when people were exiled to Australia and put to work on the colony’s building projects.

Duration: Walking 1.5 hours

Join us for our monthly Irish community book club.

A book club is a lovely way to discover new books and to meet new people! The book club meets on the last Thursday of each month in The Gaelic Club, Surry Hills.

This month we are reading ‘‘The Spy who came in from the Cold’’ by John le Carré.

Everyone is welcome, please sign up below.