General News
21 October, 2026
The luck of the canny Irish
THE Cairns Irish Association will use a $12,000 Cairns Regional Council community partnership grant to host St Patricks’ Day celebrations at Watson’s Oval, Manunda, next year.
It’s the first time the organisation has received a grant which will help it host Irish dancing, Gaelic language lessons and traditional Irish cuisine as part of the day’s offerings.
Cr Anna Middleton, whose division includes the oval, said she was “excited” the association had been successful.
“I’ve had quite a lot to do with the association since I’ve been a councillor because they have their events at the Watson’s Oval,” she said.
“It’s a lot of fun,” she said.
Cr Middleton said deciding the successful recipients of the grants was not easy.
“You actually have to apply for these partnerships, and then that team has to assess them, and then come to the recommendations for us.
“So, it’s a really tricky job because you know from the community it is always oversubscribed and very competitive.
“So, I do want to say to those groups that missed out, listen to what our teams are saying because they do go back and give very good feedback about why your initial application may not be successful and how to be successful the next time.”
A total of $63,500 will be invested through round 19 of the community partnerships grants, supporting seven community events and activities that celebrate culture, sport and the festive spirit across the Cairns region. The successful recipients are:
Cairns Thai Community Association FNQ Inc – Songkran Festival 2027 ($18,000)
Cairns Irish Association – Saint Patrick’s Day Family Festival ($12,000)
Cairns Water Polo Inc – Water Polo Queensland Senior Country Championships ($10,000)
Holloways Beach Community Hall Inc – Holloways Christmas Celebrations ($8500)
Nga Matawaka Inc – Waitangi Day Celebrations ($5000)
QCWA Branch Freshwater – Freshwater Christmas in the Park ($5000)
Yorkeys Knob Residents Association Inc – The Twilight Festival ($5000).
