Latest News & Updates


By Jane Quinn January 28, 2026
Continuing our celebration of St Brigid's Day. In collaboration with IBNNZ, St Patrick's Festival NZ, Embassy of Ireland New Zealand, and Mná na hÉireann we will be celebrating exceptional women in NZ. Brigid is the patron saint of poets. But that’s not all – she’s also the patron saint of midwives, newborns, Irish nuns, fugitives, blacksmiths, dairymaids, boatmen, chicken farmers, cattle, scholars, sailors, and no doubt many more. She is also, along with Patrick and Columcille, one of the three patron saints of Ireland. 1st of February - also marks the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
By Jane Quinn January 28, 2026
Continuing our celebration of St Brigid's Day. In collaboration with IBNNZ, St Patrick's Festival NZ, Embassy of Ireland New Zealand, and Mná na hÉireann we will be celebrating exceptional women in NZ. Brigid is the patron saint of poets. But that’s not all – she’s also the patron saint of midwives, newborns, Irish nuns, fugitives, blacksmiths, dairymaids, boatmen, chicken farmers, cattle, scholars, sailors, and no doubt many more. She is also, along with Patrick and Columcille, one of the three patron saints of Ireland. 1st of February - also marks the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
By Jane Quinn January 28, 2026
This week we celebrate St Brigid's Day. In collaboration with IBNNZ, St Patrick's Festival NZ, Embassy of Ireland New Zealand, and Mná na hÉireann we will be celebrating exceptional women in NZ. Brigid is the patron saint of poets. But that’s not all – she’s also the patron saint of midwives, newborns, Irish nuns, fugitives, blacksmiths, dairymaids, boatmen, chicken farmers, cattle, scholars, sailors, and no doubt many more. She is also, along with Patrick and Columcille, one of the three patron saints of Ireland. 1st of February - also marks the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

By Jane Quinn January 14, 2026
SAVE THE DATE To secure you ticket to this annual St Patrick's Day, email: info@friendsofireland.co.nz. With only 100 tickets available these seats will sell out fast. More information will be available in the next week.
By Jane Quinn December 8, 2025
Only 10 Days to go until we draw our raffle
By Jane Quinn November 11, 2025
Our Christmas raffle is on again. Please support the work we do and purchase a ticket for this amazing draw.
By Jane Quinn September 10, 2025
A Celtic Christmas 
July 16, 2025
Leanne Ross
By Jane Quinn July 7, 2025
FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE will be coming to New Zealand Cinemas July 24
By Jane Quinn July 7, 2025
Friend of Ireland P J Mckeown is a second-generation Irish Mancunian – that means he was born and raised in Manchester England to parents from Galway and Laois His Mum was from near Mount Bellew in County Galway and Dad was from Abbeyleix in County Laois. He spent many a happy holiday in Galway and Laois . The first volume of his autobiography was recently published. "I feel that the “ home grown” people in Ireland and Irish Americans tend to be ignorant and somewhat curious about/dismissive of second-generation Irish people and that now is the time to for them to get informed and entertained". The hilarious story revolves around a second-generation Irish child who is reflecting and recollecting on his bittersweet experiences that he has endured during his upbringing, from the complications of poor health to the incredible fortitude and desire to face the pain and kill it like a painkiller, to rise after every fall, and to learn and laugh after every cry. He bravely rode the rollercoaster of life. Let's get to know about him and, through him, the customs and traditions of Irish people living in Britain. The boy is a sociological human jukebox. My Generation: The Memoirs of a Second-Generation Irish Wimpy Kid Paperback – 30 Jan. 2025 by PJ McKeown (Author) £10.99 Available on Amazon UK website and Waterstones UK website
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