Clubs

The Irish society hosts and supports a number of clubs as follows:

Tír Na nÓg

This is a section of the Christchurch Irish Society especially for children! It offers a cultural experience to existing and prospective member's children who fall in the 1-12 age group. Tír na nÓg provides a fun and educational experience through music, art, story telling etc.

Contact:
For Tír na nÓg enquiries email: info@christchurchirishsociety.co.nz

What does Tír na nÓg mean?
The direct translation of Tir na nÓg is "land of eternal youth". It refers to a mystical land in Gaelic mythology where the trees are always in bloom and there is always a bard to sing for you, where the food is always bountiful and the drink is always flowing, and, most of all, a place where you'll never grow a day older. You may live for blissful eternity in this enchanted land.

The favorite legend of Tir na nÓg is that of the love between Niamh (pronounced Neeve) and Oisín (O-Sheen), a goddess and Celtic warrior, whose love story takes them across the ocean, through the ages, and into legend.

Gaelic Football

Christchurch have both a mens and ladies gaelic football team. Training takes place in South Hagley park. 
Games are sometimes played at Westlake Park, Halswell or at Spreydon Domain, next to the Irish Society Hall.

We play in a variety of games and competitions such as:

• Annual NZ Irish Feis

• Wellington 7's competitions

• Games against Rakaia

• Local "Counties" games for the "Muzza Cup" donated by Murray Gain of Champion Freight

• International Rules games versus local AFL (Aussie Rules) teams

There are a mix of Irish, Kiwi and other nationalities playing. Please come along and join us. We love seeing new faces.

For confirmation on venue and times of our weekly trainign and games please check out our facebook page .

Indoor Bowls

One of the groups for members, within the Irish Society, is the Indoor Bowls Club. This club was formed in May 1973, and has continued since then, with weekly meetings at the societies hall during a season that runs from March until October.

The club, which has a resident coach, caters for all levels of players, from those who have never bowled before, through to people who represent Canterbury in tournaments. It holds championship games within the club for Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours, and the winners of these contests represent the club against winners from Canterburys other clubs. The club visits other clubs in Christchurch and also has participants in National Contests. We always look forward to new members, and enjoy the social side of not only the bowls but joining in the societies functions

Below is a photo of the Christchurch Irish Society Indoor Club.

This was taken at Timaru, where we were playing our yearly challenge against St Josephs Indoor Bowls Club.

We had been playing for the O'Brien Trophy Cup, this being the 22nd year. The Christchurch Irish Indoors Bowls Club meets weekly during their season from March till October at the clubrooms. We take part in tournaments with both the Canterbury Catholic Indoor Bowls Association, and the Canterbury Indoor Bowls Association.

We also have regular visits to/from other clubs within Christchurch, and usually have representatives at the yearly tournaments of both the N Z Catholic Federation and NZ Indoor Bowls Federation Tournaments.

We always look forward to having new members join us, and have a resident coach for members who haven't played before

Irish Dancing

Below are the contact details of Irish dancing clubs in Christchurch.

Gaelic Dancers
Kay-Hallissey Dancing School
O'Neill Dancing School

Young Mothers Group

An opportunity for mothers and caregivers with children under five years to meet, chat and play at the club rooms.

For Young Mothers Group enquiries email: info@christchurchirishsociety.co.nz