In Focus: Behind Sydney's St Patrick's Day Ball 2013

The St Patrick's Day Ball in Sydney is to be revived this year thanks to the support of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce (IACC).

'[It] has been running in Sydney for probably 30 years', committee chairperson John Mc Quaid told WorldIrish, 'it has been traditionally the kick-off event that happens around St Patrick’s Weekend in the city'

According to John, the ball, which was organised by Patsy Davitt, was traditionally held on the week before the city's St Patrick's Day parade, before it 'ran out of steam.'

As a result the event didn’t take place last year, and so, the IACC decided to step in to revive it and 'return it to its status as one of the peak events the St Patrick’s week in Sydney.'

'The Irish community have been working hard here to turn the parade and a few smaller events into a week-long festival – so there a number of other events happening that week but the ball is the high point.'

Image: IACC - Derek Murray, Noel Moynes, Frank Cupido

Over the years, the ball would have seen Irish ministers, the Irish ambassador to Australia, New South Wales parliamentarian friends of Ireland and other dignitaries as well as business people and people of the Irish community attending the event.

It would normally have 250 - 400 people making their way to the ball, depending on the year that it’s been run and would always have an Irish theme. 

This year the IACC have booked in Irish comedian Brian Doyle who has been residing in Australia for many years and an Irish dance troupe along with pipers and harpists on the night as well as a full three-course dinner with drinks.

'It’s a big night in the Irish calendar for those in Australia' the lead up the St Patrick’s Day parade' said John.

Image: IACC, St Patrick's Day lunch

'The intention is to run the ball every year' says John, 'I’m one of the board members in Sydney – I’m the chair of the ball committee and Patsy has taken on the role of patron and Ambassador. The roles don’t have the strenuous day-to-day organisation but still very much involved in it.'

They hope to bring the ball to a younger and broader audience, 'Patsy’s contacts would be heading into their 60s and may not be interested in heading to the same events. It’s reinvigorating a Sydney institution.'

Will the event be black tie?

'We’re actually running it as a cocktail dress, lounge suit event this year rather than a black tie and that’s purely for economic reasons' says John; 

We see that a lot of people who come to the event have to go out and spend 100$ renting a tux. The preference is that we’d get them to come with the money in their pocket and spend it at the ball and put some money into the profits that can then go onto the parade and Chamber’s ongoing plans for the Irish community in Australia.

According to John, so far the reaction to the ball's revival has been very positive. The event itself is seen as a fundraiser, the IACC is a non-profit organisation and the proportion of the profits will go to the St Patrick’s Day parade.

The Chamber has received a grant this year from the Irish government to provide services to the community here, and business networking, financial and migration advice and just introducing Irish people to people in the community who might be able to help them.

The IACC are to provide a service to the Irish Australian business community and more recently arrived Irish nationals.

Win two tickets to the St Patricks Day Ball in Sydney with WorldIrish here.