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The Irish Press
Mórán cainte ar bheagán cúise.
(Much talk with little reason.)
July 2025
BOARD GAMES EVENING
It’s winter, right! Long evenings, cold weather, ‘inside time’! Perfect for family-orientated games.
So that’s exactly what we’re doing on Saturday, 19 July - a family-friendly Classic Board Games Evening.
We’ll have a collection of Board Games guests are welcome to use, or you can bring your own favourites to share with others! Oh, and of course the heater will be on to keep the weather outside!
A perfect opportunity to try Games you’re not familiar with, and to bring the Kids along to join the fun. We’ll be open from 7pm, and there’ll be a little supper (as well as the games!)
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
The proposed revised Constitution for HVIS has been submitted to the Registrar of Incorporated Societies for ‘approval’.
If approved, the ‘new’ Constitution will take effect from that approval date. Until that occurs the current constitution continues to stand.
CALLING HVIS SINGERS
Alice Paul's latest venture gets together again THIS THURSDAY, 17 July, (the 3rd Thursday of the Month) at the Club from about 7.30pm.
She has a group of “singers” to learn (initially) 2 songs – one in Irish, and a second an Irish song sung in English.
If this appeals, but you can’t get along this week, send Alice an email or call (or txt!) her on 021 2288 293.
CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN UPPER HUTT
Put a ring around the date : 13 SEPTEMBER, 2025!
A group of HVIS members, and a couple of others, are deep into planning an Irish Cultural Extravaganza at Brewtown, in Upper Hutt.
We’re planning to have as wide a variety of ‘events’ and activities as we can find volunteers to help with.
There will be food and drink, of course, and fun for kids!
And if you think you’d like to ‘lend a hand’, or have an idea for an activity, send Darren a message or text him on 021 02932131.
NZ ROSE OF TRALEE
Ciara Jo Hanlon is, in addition to being a member of the Wellington/Hutt Valley GFHA, the new NZ Rose of Tralee.
When not playing football or hurling, she is a PE Teacher at St Mary’s College in Wellington. When I asked why she was in New Zealand, her immediate answer was “the outdoors”! She told me she had already completed 4 of the Great Walks, and has just completed another one in the recent school holidays!
She is also deep into preparations for her trip to represent New Zealand at the International Rose of Tralee festival in Ireland next month. And that doesn’t come cheap!
BRAINS AND REINS
This Friday, 18 July is a special fund-raiser Quiz Night, hosted by the GFHA at HVIS. As the name suggests, part of the evening is a Quiz night (why not get a team organised), and part is a mock 'race meeting' (in the Club!). Note that the start time for the fun and games is 6.00pm.
A grand chance to have some fun, AND help out Ciara Jo at the same time.
REMEMBERING BARLEYSHAKES PLAYING HVIS
I’ve finally been able to process the Videos taken for us by David Duffy of the performances of the Barleyshakes duo in February. Clearly it was a very entertaining event!
You can see the Videos on our website.
FUND-RAISER CEILI
Saturday 26 July from 6.30 we're co-hosting a MID-WINTER CEILI at Vogelmorn Hall in Brooklyn. Coming out of ‘retirement’, it will be lead by our own Emma Kelleher, Aislinn Ryan, & Esther Summerhays.
You'll need to book tickets ahead of time. BUT, importantly, the Ceili is another FUND-RAISER to help prepare the NZ Rose of Tralee, Ciara Jo Hanlon.
CAPITAL IRISH
Two of our members are amongst the presenters of this regular radio show – Alice Paul and Finbarr Murray. And HVIS is one of the regular sponsors.
Their programmes include Irish news, local events and activities with an Irish flavour as well as interviews and live music from visiting Irish musicians, book and movie reviews, and political views/reviews.
Their half-hour show is broadcast each Sunday at mid-day.
If you’ve never heard it, you can hear the most recent episodes, or look back over their previous shows.
You might be surprised by what you find!
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 14 August, from 7.30 pm. Their selection is Atomic Love by Jennie Fields. 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 !
| Thursday 17 July | HVIS Choir |
| Friday 18 July | BRAINS & REINS @ HVIS |
| Saturday 19 July | Board Games Family Evening |
| Saturday 26 July | Mid-Winter Ceili |
| Sunday 27 July | Pot Luck Dinner |
| Friday 1 August | Darts night |
| Thursday 14 August | Book Club |
COMINGS & GOINGS
Congratulations to Ray Janes, who has joined the ranks of the ‘retired’.
‘Bon Voyage’ to Keiran Hegarty & Deirdre Meskill who are off for a visit to Ireland.
And ‘Kia ora’ to the ‘other’ Rynne family, as Declan & Deirdre (& kids) arrive for a visit to see friends & family here. Will be lovely to see them again.
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS 2025-2026
Our thanks to those who’ve already paid their Subscription. Now is also the time to renew your membership of HVIS for the financial year beginning 1 April 2025:
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! And remember: an AUTOMATIC PAYMENT is Easy as …!
HV FOOD BANK
We’ve all seen the news stories about the demands on local Food Banks. I thought it was time we did something to help our community.
So I have a challenge for you: when you prepare your contribution to our next Pot Luck Dinner, add to it acontribution for the Food Bank.
You decide what, drop it in the marked box at the Club – we’ll deliver it!
VISITING CHRISTCHURCH?
The Commodore Hotel offers the discount code NZIRISH to the Irish community when they book accommodation.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
HVIS runs on the efforts of VOLUNTEERS. So we’re always looking for people to help out.
Could you help out on the Management Committee? All positions from President to Committee Members are up for election at the AGM in June. Give it some thought!
What about helping behind the Bar? We have a small group of volunteers, but “the more the merrier”! We’ll be employing staff for St Patrick’s Day, but there is plenty of scope to help at other times, especially Fridays, & other Functions.
Let us know how you can help.
COUNTY GAZETTEER
Vital stats for each Irish County
| County: | Limerick / Contae Luimnigh |
| Province: | Munster |
| County town: | Limerick |
| Area: | 1,064 sq mi (2,756 km2) (Rank: 10th) |
| Highest elevation | (Galtymore): 3,012 ft (918 m) |
| Population (2022): | 209,356 (Rank: 9th) |
| Nickname: | (The Treaty County; Shannonside) |
| Motto: | Cuimhnigh ar Luimneach ("Remember Limerick") |
| Website: | Limerick County Council; Visit Limerick |
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
