“In 2023, we embarked on a project alongside Fiona aimed at understanding the needs and desires of the Irish community in Wellington. Our goal was to chart a course forward for our society, identifying necessary steps and laying out a plan to address these needs.” - Patricia Given, former Wellington Irish President
It’s safe to say from this article in The Post about St Patrick’s Day back in March this year that Wellington’s Irish community is going strong as the city hosted a fantastic parade and celebration for the special day to acknowledge one of Ireland’s most famous patron saints.
In this piece, festival organiser Orla Carmody said the face of the Irish community (in Wellington) had changed dramatically over the years. And it was with that in mind in early 2023, Wellington Irish Society initiated a project to ask this evolving community what they wanted and needed to feel a sense of connection to their culture. It was about this time last year that former Society President, Patricia Given, reached out to me and with the support of the executive committee, we asked lots of questions and then we listened.
How did we approach the project?
Phase 1 included a full day of conversations in Wellington with 20 community members and leaders to better understand the unique context of this community and test questions that may form the basis for a survey that will be used to listen to the voices of the Irish community in Wellington. This phase included a number of 1-on-1 interviews, a group interview with the executive committee and a community cruinniú (meeting). Based on what was heard during Phase 1, Phase 2 included the development of a survey to listen to a wider group of the community. A range of channels were used to promote engagement with this survey including social media, email and phone calls. The report below is has been developed from what we heard through both phases.
“Throughout the process, Fiona skillfully guided us, ensuring clarity and providing explanations whenever questions arose regarding the purpose of certain steps. Her involvement proved immensely valuable to our project. Her deep compassion for the group we convened was evident throughout the process. She demonstrated remarkable patience and went above and beyond to ensure that the voices of those who couldn't attend on the day were heard and considered. Her dedication to inclusivity and genuine concern for each participant greatly enriched our experience and outcomes.” - Patricia Given, former Wellington Irish President
We asked questions. We listened. What did we hear?
What is the future you imagine?
What next?
You can read some potential next steps and considerations for Wellington Irish Society in the full report. Patricia has some thoughts to share too:
“There exist numerous opportunities for the Irish community to explore here in Wellington, provided we invest the necessary time and effort into their implementation.
One notable recommendation was to establish a Meitheal* group here in Wellington, similar to what she has successfully done in Christchurch. This initiative is something I am actively considering launching by the end of March, albeit independently from the Wellington Irish Society, yet with the Irish Society’s involvement as one of the primary contributors. Furthermore, I hope that the Irish Society reassess its purpose and its contributions to the community. This will be a priority for the new committee to pursue, with the aim of ensuring that the society's endeavors align effectively with the evolving needs of the Irish community in Wellington.”
If you’d like to get involved with Wellington Irish Society or just find out more, get in touch secretary@wellingtonirishsociety.com
*Read about the Meitheal project in Christchurch here.
You can read the report in full here.
Acknowledgements
The project was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Emigrant Support Programme. Thank you to Dermot from D4 and Kennedys, and the Embassy of Ireland NZ for the use of their venues for workshops during the project. Thank you to all those who participated through their engagement in face-to-face workshops, over the phone, over Zoom and particularly to the Wellington Irish executive committee who made this happen.
“Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine”
An Irish language expression, proverb, seanfhocail, whose literal meaning is ‘It is in each others’ shadow that people live’ but which, more broadly, invokes a sense of community and interdependence.
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