There are multifarious events with Irish connections and connotations held weekly, monthly and annually. Some are major happenings attracting hundreds of spectators and participants, others are small homely affairs where strange faces are few but nonetheless welcome.

Featured Events
National Feis 2010
Click here for the Feis Syllabus and Entry Form
WINNER of the New Zealand Rose of Tralee 2010
BIG OE Evenings
Your Country Your Call
World Rowing Championships
GAA Championship matches viewing in Auckland
Christchurch Writers Festival
1000th programme of Images of Ireland
U2 concert in Auckland
Daniel O'Donnell tour of NZ
With special guest Mary Duff

Ireland’s most popular ‘easy listening’ singer, Daniel O’Donnell returns to New Zealand in September.

Dates of his concerts here are:

Christchurch - Tuesday 21 September
Book at
Ticketek or call 0800 TICKETEK (842538)

Palmerston North - Thursday 23 September
Book at Ticket Direct or call 0800 4TICKET (484253)

Auckland - Friday 24 September
Book at The Edge or call 0800 BUYTICKETS (289842)

To visit the official Daniel O'Donnell website click the weblink below...
www.danielodonnell.org

Australasian Gaelic Games in Auckland

Past Events

WINNER of the 2010 Rodney Walshe Ireland Essay Competition

The winner of the 2010 essay competition is Enakshi Chakravorty of Samuel Marsden Collegiate College in Wellington

PRESS RELEASE – FRIDAY 7 MAY 2010

WINNER OF RODNEY WALSHE IRELAND ESSAY COMPETITION 2010

This year the competition attracted the greatest number of registrations since it’s commencement in 1990 and there has been a notable widening in the range of subjects selected. The judges had to draw deeply on their literary skills and their knowledge of Irish history, literature, art, culture and heritage.

This year’s first prize winner of a trip to Ireland for a one month stay is Enakshi Chakravorty of Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, Wellington, for her essay entitled “Blarney Talk”.

Second prize has been awarded to Jessica Milne of Wellington East Girls College for her essay entitled “The Irish Language and the Literary Revival

There has been a tie for third prize between Thomas McLean of John Paul College, Rotorua for “The Celtic Twilight” and Shalini Ramarao of Columba College, Dunedin for “A take on life through Cecelia Ahern”.

Second and third prize winners each receive a piece of Waterford Crystal.

Certificates of Merit and Book Tokens have been awarded to:
Kirsten Allen of St Margaret’s College, Christchurch
Rory Bingham of Takapuna Grammar School, Auckland
Amy Campbell of St Margaret’s College, Christchurch
Lydia Hoby-Sharpe of Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland
Ani McGahan of Takapuna Grammar School, Auckland
Jarryd Walker of Takapuna Grammar School, Auckland
Aaron Weston of John Paul College, Rotorua

The Honorary Consul General of Ireland, Rodney Walshe, will personally present
the prizes to the top four winners at their school assembly.

The judges are:- Terry Dunleavy, Author
Gordon McLachlan, Author
Maurice Smyth, Journalist
Rodney Walshe, Honorary Consul General of Ireland

To read the winning essays, visit the "Scholarships" section of our website


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2010 ST PATRICK'S DAY

Ireland's National Day, St Patrick's Day, 17 March, is celebrated throughout New Zealand.

For information about what is happening in your area contact your local Irish Society - details listed under Contacts - Societies on this website.


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Irish Film in 2010 NZ Film Festival

There is one Irish documentary being shown in this year's NZ Film Festival. His & Hers is a documentary about Irish women and the men they love.

The festival opens in Auckland on 8 July.

Click the weblink below to visit the festival website and see full information on venue and session times for all regions
www.nzff.co.nz

Click here to read about "His & Hers"


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GALFCUIG 2009 video and photos

Click the link below to see video footage of previous Galfcuig events
www.ireland.co.nz/contact_special_event.asp

Click here to view Galfcuig 2009 photos

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Irish Language Classes

Learn more about 'an Ghaeilge'.
This course is designed for ex-pats wishing to revive their knowledge of the language and associated culture; people with Irish ancestry; people with a general interest in Irish music, language and culture; people intending to travel to Ireland either for holidays, OE or work.

If you have any questions about content or level, please contact Ruth Lysaght (tutor) at ruth.lysaght@gmail.com

Click the weblink below to read more and to enrol
www.cce.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/for/future-course-participants/lifelong-learning-2/language-courses/irish


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2010 St Patrick's Festival - Auckland

Celebrate St Patrick's Day in Auckland with the best of Irish craic! There are many events including the parade, the banquet, the carnival day - and that's all before 17 March!!!

Saturday 13 March
ST PATRICK'S PARADE
12pm on Queen St
Come and witness the most entertaining St Patrick's Parade in the Southern Hemisphere with Irish musicians, dancers and St Patrick himself. Great for the whole family. FREE

ST PATRICK'S FESTIVAL BANQUET
6.45pm - 1am at the Langham Hotel
The Irish event of the year! A black velvet welcome, sumptuous cuisine, Irish wit and entertainment, music and dance.
For tickets phone 09-3776191 or email info@stpatrick.co.nz

Sunday 14 March
IRISH COMMUNITY ST PATRICK'S CARNIVAL
Join the Irish community in celebrating Irish sport and culture in a fun packed day for the family. Funfair rides, farm experience, face painting, entertainers, market stalls, fortune tellers, Irish dance and music, competition and games, assortment of food and beverages, Gaelic football coaching, Hurling and featuring the annual St Patrick's Gaelic Sevens with teams from around NZ and abroad
FREE ENTRY

Check back regularly as we will update this site with more information as it comes to hand

Full festival information available on the Festival website. Click below:
www.stpatrick.co.nz


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Auckland's Sky Tower lit up green for St. Patrick's Day!!

For the first time ever, Auckland's Sky Tower was lit up green in honour of St. Patrick's Day on March 17th 2009.

See the pictures below:

Click here to view photos


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Ceol Aneas Traditional Irish Music Festival

For more information about Ceol Aneas, tutors and to register visit the website below:
www.ceolaneas.org

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Rhythms of Ireland Tour

Rhythms of Ireland Dance Troupe

Fourteen Concerts running from October 14 - November 5 2009 in venues from Auckland to Invercargill.

For more information check out their website.
www.rhythmsofireland.com/main.html


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Ireland v All Blacks in New Plymouth 2010

The Irish rugby team is touring NZ and Australia in June 2010.

12 June - Ireland v All Blacks in Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

18 June - Ireland v NZ Maori in International Stadium, Rotorua

Click the link below to see the list of results and upcoming fixtures for the IRFU

www.irishrugby.ie/7051_260.php


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The Seven Irish Tenors

Touring throughout New Zealand in Jan/Feb 2010 with concerts in Auckland, Hamilton, Hastings, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Wellington, Invercargill, Dunedin, Timaru and Christchurch.

Click the weblink below to read more:
www.stetsongroup.com/home.htm


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Dance of Desire - A New Dimension in Irish Dance

The new All-Irish production 'Dance of Desire' is coming to New Zealand in 2010, with performances in March and April from Auckland to Invercargill.


Click here to read more

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Greatest Survival Story Ever Told

The Story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Antarctic Expedition
Feb-Mar 2010

A lecture touring NZ through February and March: ‘The Greatest Survival Story Ever Told: The Story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Antarctic Expedition’.

Ernest Shackleton was born in Co Kildare and a key explorer with him on this expedition was Tom Crean from Co Kerry.

Entry is by donation with all proceeds going to the NZ Antarctic Heritage Trust.


Click here to read more


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'Beoga' on tour in NZ - May & June 2010

'Beoga' on tour in NZ - May & June 2010

TOUR DATES
19 May - Auckland, The Kings Arms
20 May - Hamilton, The Callagher Concert Chamber
21 May - New Plymouth, The Plymouth Hotel
22 May - Wellington, The Ruby Lounge
25 May - Tauranga, venue TBC
26 May - Whakatane, The Boiler Room
27 May - Gisborne, The Poverty Bay Club
28 May - Hastings, Playhouse Theatre
30 May - Christchurch, The Dux du Lux, Christchurch Folk Club

2 June - Wanaka, Riverhouse Theatre
4 June - Nelson, Ceol Aneas teaching weekend
5 June - Nelson, The Theatre Royal Concert & Ceol Aneas
6 June - Nelson, Ceol Aneas teaching weekend
7 June - Nelson, Ceol Aneas teaching weekend

Beoga (Irish word for ‘lively’) are a five-piece band based in County Antrim in the North of Ireland. Formed in 2002, they have become one of the most popular and influential ensembles in modern Irish music. Their unique sound features the twin duelling accordians of Seán Óg Graham and Damian McKee, four times All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray and pianist Liam Bradley. In 2005, the line-up was complete with the addition of one of Ireland’s premier young talents, singer/fiddler Niamh Dunne.

The bedrock of Beoga’s sound lies firmly within the Irish tradition. However, they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances into their music. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy traditional sound. The result is traditional, with a huge sense of fun and adventure and it all works - wonderfully well. Irish Music Magazine writes “Madcap genius, master craftsmen”. The Irish Times concludes, “Individually talented and collectively inspired, Beoga speak a language called music with a fluency beloved of the best multi-linguists.”

The group’s first two albums, ‘A Lovely Madness’ (2005) and ‘Mischief’ (2007), were met with universal critical acclaim. Containing a repertoire of fresh self-penned tunes and inventive arrangements, they received a phenomenal 9.5/10 from Ireland‘s Hot Press, and numerous honours from the music media, notably the German Music Awards, Boston Globe’s ‘Best of 2007’, New York’s Irish Echo and the Live Ireland Music Awards. Beoga’s latest album ‘The Incident’ (2009) continues to blaze a pioneering trail, earning a fresh string of superlatives; The Irish Echo describes “a heady, virtually head-spinning sonic blend, perhaps the most audacious Irish band rooted in trad today.” The Irish American News lauds the “energy, intelligent creativity, wit and real musicianship” declaring, “this is the freshest take on the tradition,” and the Wall Street Journal, describe Beoga as ‘the most exciting band to emerge from Ireland this century’. Irish Music Magazine concludes, “Beoga are at the forefront of the Irish new wave,” In October 2009 ‘The Incident’ was selected for inclusion in the official 2010 GRAMMY nomination ballot for Best Contemporary World Music album.

Beoga’s are delighting audiences at major festivals throughout Europe and the USA with their award winning live show. Highlights have included the Milwaukee Irish fest, the BBC’s Last Night at the Proms concert, Denmark’s Tonder festival, Cambridge Folk festival and Glasgow’s Celtic Connections. With their unique blend of inventive arrangements, virtuosi instrumental talents and beautiful vocals, Beoga’s popularity continues to flourish as they captivate audiences on a global scale.

www.beogamusic.com


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Irish Language Classes in Wellington

Irish Imbas are commencing the next series of classes in Irish language and culture on 22 July 2010. The course runs on Thursday evenings at the Central Library in Wellington. Please contact info@irishimbas.com for further details on course content.

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