Darwin to turn green for NT Irish Music Festival 2024

The Irish ambassador will be leading a sea of Guinness-drinking green-clad punters in Darwin this weekend when a massive Celtic festival kicks off. DETAILS.

Harry Brill

less than 2 min read

June 8, 2024 - 11:09AM

NT Irish Association has a long history in the Territory. Picture: Supplied.

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The Irish ambassador will be leading a sea of Guinness-drinking green-clad punters in Darwin this weekend when a massive Celtic festival kicks off.

On Sunday, June 9, Irish ambassador Tim Mawe and more than a thousand festival goers are expected to attend the second iteration of the NT Irish Music Festival.

The Darwin Ski Club will host the mammoth event, with Irish dancing, music and Gaelic games organised to entertain the crowds.

NT Irish Association president Ronan Mackey said the event was set to reach new heights this season.

“We’ve got amazing artists coming from all over the country and a lot of local artists as well,” he said.

“We’ve also got three (local) Irish dancing schools coming, and a lot of kids activities.”

NT Irish Association president Ronan Mackey and his daughter Mia, who dances for the Tara Dance Academy.

Mr Mackey maintained the event would be an all-age event.

“There will be a ‘Guinness garden’, which is an 18 years-plus area where people can enjoy the swimming pool and bar,” he said.

“There’ll also be an Irish DJ section for some of the younger people as well.”

With the Territory rich with Irish migrants, backpackers and temporary workers, Mr Mackey said an Irish-themed music performance at Dinah Beach in 2022 gave birth to the idea of having a dedicated event.

“We thought let’s try and do something bigger,” he said.

“We didn’t expect it to be so big straight away – almost a 1000 people turned up.”

The NT Irish Music Festival schedule.

The NT Irish Association was established in 1980, with many original members still calling the Territory home.

“We’ve got lots of older members of the NT Irish community coming out to celebrate, people who’ve been out here for ages,” Mr Mackey said.

“I’ve been ringing a few and they’ve been saying ‘thank you’ so much, but the fact is that they started all this – they kept the culture alive here in the Territory and it’s just got bigger and bigger since then.”

Tickets can be purchased at Moshtix.com