The North Queensland Irish Association was reformed on 8 April 1992 with a membership of 17 people. The Association became incorporated on 29 May 1996. When the Annual General Meeting was held on 12 August 1996 there were 45 financial members. Currently (in 2024) we have 90 financial members.
The Association has enjoyed many events and functions over the years and had many homes. In 1995, the NQIA invited the Townsville Folk Club to regard The Rowers Bar in the Seaview Hotel as a new venue for jam sessions. This arrangement was organised for the first Saturday of each month and in the beginning was well attended. This was the start of what we all enjoy as our monthly jam sessions now residing at Molly Malone's in Flinders Street.
Over the years, the association has had a range of activities that they participated in throughout the city. These included:
The Irish Show - a community radio station on 4TTT FM presented by Brian & Rosie Hartigan from September 1993-1997.
Wednesday Ceili - Ceili and Set dancing lessons commenced in 1995 with up to 28 people per night attending. The group became a demonstration team funded by the Townsville City Council where they performed at functions for other ethnic communities as well as the Folk festivals. The lessons later moved to the Blarney Bar on a Saturday night.
Irish Language Classes - Under the tutelage of Madeline Ward from Dublin, 8 students enrolled for the first Semester of which only one was an Irishman. These classes later blossomed into a jam session for budding musicians.
Tin Whistle Classes - Every Tuesday night after the Gaelic (Irish language) classes were held you could join the tin whistle class with Madeleine, Val, Megan and Jill and learn to play the tin whistle.
Members Jackpot - Each Saturday at the "Irish Club" a draw was conducted. Each member had a number in the barrel but had to be present in the bar when the draw took place. Starting price was $25, and increased by $5 if a member was absent. This was sponsored by the Great Northern Hotel.
Family Days - Family picnics, BBQs, Irish breakfasts and sporting activities were a highlight for the families.
Home Brew Irish Cream Competition - Members tried their hardest at creating their own home made Baileys where they were judged on texture, quality and kick at the local Ceili.
The Annual St Patrick's Day function - a major fundraiser for the association each year.
The Association has enjoyed many events and functions over the years and had many homes. In 1995, the NQIA invited the Townsville Folk Club to regard The Rowers Bar in the Seaview Hotel as a new venue for jam sessions. This arrangement was organised for the first Saturday of each month and in the beginning was well attended. This was the start of what we all enjoy as our monthly jam sessions now residing at Molly Malone's in Flinders Street.
Over the years, the association has had a range of activities that they participated in throughout the city. These included:
The Irish Show - a community radio station on 4TTT FM presented by Brian & Rosie Hartigan from September 1993-1997.
Wednesday Ceili - Ceili and Set dancing lessons commenced in 1995 with up to 28 people per night attending. The group became a demonstration team funded by the Townsville City Council where they performed at functions for other ethnic communities as well as the Folk festivals. The lessons later moved to the Blarney Bar on a Saturday night.
Irish Language Classes - Under the tutelage of Madeline Ward from Dublin, 8 students enrolled for the first Semester of which only one was an Irishman. These classes later blossomed into a jam session for budding musicians.
Tin Whistle Classes - Every Tuesday night after the Gaelic (Irish language) classes were held you could join the tin whistle class with Madeleine, Val, Megan and Jill and learn to play the tin whistle.
Members Jackpot - Each Saturday at the "Irish Club" a draw was conducted. Each member had a number in the barrel but had to be present in the bar when the draw took place. Starting price was $25, and increased by $5 if a member was absent. This was sponsored by the Great Northern Hotel.
Family Days - Family picnics, BBQs, Irish breakfasts and sporting activities were a highlight for the families.
Home Brew Irish Cream Competition - Members tried their hardest at creating their own home made Baileys where they were judged on texture, quality and kick at the local Ceili.
The Annual St Patrick's Day function - a major fundraiser for the association each year.