Settling into your new home can take time.  A good way to start is to meet new people and try new things. Connecting with a local Irish group or GAA club can help you make new friends and find your feet in your new home. They can also provide a helping hand if you need a bit more support or encounter any difficulties there. We’ve listed many of these groups below for you, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for you can also check out the Global Irish Diaspora Directory.

Sometimes homesickness can hit when you least expect it, so we’ve put together these tips on minding yourself with the help of others who have already made the move – www.mindhowyougo.ie.

Helplink Mental Health also provide a global, free Irish Abroad Online Counselling Service for Irish emigrants living abroad.

• AUSTRALIA
  • Irish Australian Support & Resource Bureau (Melbourne, VIC) provides welfare related support to Irish people in Melbourne and wider Victoria.
  • Irish Support Agency (Sydney, NSW) provides welfare related support to Irish people in Sydney and wider New South Wales.
  • The Claddagh Association Inc.(Perth, WA) provides welfare related support to Irish people in Perth and wider Western Australia.
  • Irish Families in Perth (Perth, WA) is a Facebook page for Irish families in and around Perth.
  • Irish Australian Support Association of Queensland Inc. (Brisbane, QLD) provides welfare related support to Irish people in Brisbane and wider Queensland.
  • Adelaide Irish Connect (Adelaide, South Australia) is a Facebook group connecting Irish people in Adelaide.
  • Geelong Irish Society (Victoria) hosts events and encouraging links to Irish culture in Geelong, Victoria.
  • Irish Mothers’ Group Down Under (Sydney) is a group for Irish mothers in Sydney to get together socially and give each other support.
  • Irish Mums Brisbane offer regular meet ups for Irish and non-Irish mums in Brisbane.
  • Irish Women Living Abroad or Returning to Ireland is a Facebook community for Irish Women who are still living abroad, returning home to Ireland or making the decision to leave again.
  • Irish Women Abroad – Moving to Australia in 2022 is a Facebook community for Irish women moving to Australia.
  • Michael Cusacks GAA (Sydney) is one of Australia’s largest GAA clubs with teams across the four Gaelic playing codes – Mens Senior and Junior Gaelic Football, Ladies Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie.
  • Queensland Gaelic Football and Hurling Association (Brisbane) for anyone interested in playing Gaelic Football, Hurling or Camogie in Brisbane or Gold Coast.
  • The Aisling Society of Sydney is an Irish Australian cultural society whose main interests are the study of the history, life and culture of Ireland, and of the effect of our Irish heritage on Australian life.
  • Sydney Queer Irish was set up for Irish people residing or passing through Sydney who identify as Queer, Lesbian, Gay, Trans Gender, & Bi. They hold various events through out the year helping people settle into the Sydney lifestyle and get out and about.
  • The Celtic Club Melbourne is home to various Irish and Celtic groups and hold regular cultural, heritage and sporting events, as well as some great live music acts. They also have an informative podcast series
  • Your local regional GAA Club in Australia – clubs can be found in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, and Victoria.
• CANADA
  • Irish Canadian Immigration Centre (I/CAN) with their head office in Toronto, I/CAN provides outreach and information on employment, social services, and immigration to newly arrived Irish immigrants across Canada. They also have this list of Irish organisations throughout Canada making it easy for you to connect locally.
  • Ireland – Canada Chambers of Commerce – the parent website of the six Ireland Canada Chambers of Commerce located in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.
  • Irish Women’s Network of BC provides women of Irish descent in British Columbia with support and networking opportunities as well as providing information and networking seminars for newcomers.
  • Irish in BC – Find out what’s happening in the Irish community in BC by signing up for their weekly newsletter or check out the handy list of groups across BC – from culture and heritage, information, social, sport and more
  • Irish and New in Toronto is a Facebook page for all things Irish in Toronto geared at connecting new arrivals to the city
  • St Patrick’s Day Parade Toronto is the committee for the annual St Patrick’s Day parade in Toronto.
  • St Patrick’s Society of Montreal provides assistance and advocates on behalf of Irish immigrants in the Montreal area.
  • The Ireland Funds Canada Young Leaders is a great way to make new connections if you’re a young Irish professional in Canada.
  • The Toronto Irish Cultural Society promotes Irish culture in Toronto with annual social events, including the Rose of Tralee.
  • Edmonton Irish Sports & Social Society has a long history of supporting newcomers in Edmonton and Northern Alberta.
  • Vancouver Queer Irish exists to support those who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ within and connected to the Irish and Irish-Canadian community in BC.
  • Your local regional GAA Club in Canada GAA clubs can be found in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador.
• NEW ZEALAND
  • The Embassy of Ireland is located in Wellington and the Honorary Consulate General in Auckland. 
  • Friends of Ireland New Zealand is an informative and open space for ‘Friends of Ireland’ in New Zealand to share stories, news, events, as well as connect with one another.
  • Irish People Living in New Zealand (IPLNZ) provides a platform for interaction and information for Irish people in New Zealand.
  • Auckland Irish Society promotes Irish culture in Auckland.
  • Christchurch Irish Society promotes Irish culture in Christchurch
  • Waikato Irish Society connects Irish people throughout the Waikato
  • Your local regional GAA club in New Zealand – see www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/world-gaa/our-clubs/australasia/
• EUROPE
  • The European County Board of the GAA was set up in 1999 and now heads up 85 clubs around Europe in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
  • The Irish in Europe Association has a network of Chapters around Europe and aims to help Irish people living and working in Europe.
  • Irish in France creates and supports initiatives aimed at the Irish community in France.
  • European Irish connects people interested in Irish culture and activities around Europe.
• UNITED STATES OF  AMERICA
  • Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers  is a national umbrella group for all of the Irish Immigration Centers in the US. Find your local Irish center here.
  • Aisling Irish Community Center (New York) assists Irish immigrants in their transition to life in the USA. They are based in Yonkers.
  • Irish Community Services (Midwest) is an immigration and social services provider serving the Irish community of Chicago and beyond with senior, legal, pastoral, student and J1 programmes. Formerly known as Chicago Irish Immigrant Support
  • Emerald Isle Immigration Centre (New York) provides immigration information, social, employment and education related services to Irish emigrants in New York since 1988. They have two offices, one in the Bronx and one in Queens.
  • Irish Apostolate USA provides pastoral support, advocacy and outreach services the Irish Apostolate USA is the response of the Irish and American Catholic Bishops to the needs of Irish immigrants in the United States.
  • The Irish Diaspora Center is a community hub for Irish emigrants in the Philadelphia and wider Delaware Valley.
  • Rian Immigrant Center (Boston) supports Irish emigrants since 1989, the newly named Rian Immigrant Center specializes in Learning Exchange programmes between Ireland and the USA and also offers immigration, advocacy, wellness and education services.
  • Irish Pastoral Centre – Boston offers a comprehensive range of services including active seniors and family outreach programmes, free legal and immigration clinics, a mother and toddler group, and much more
  • Irish Immigration Pastoral Center – (San Francisco) is a long standing and invaluable support to Irish people in and around San Francisco.
  • Irish Outreach – (San Diego) is a vibrant multi-service center focused on assisting Irish citizens, those of Irish ancestry, and Irish visitors (summer students) in San Diego.
  • New York Irish Center is a community center based in Long Island City (Queens), just one subway stop away from Grand Central Station. It runs cultural events, a senior programme and hosts the first US location of Pieta House.
  • Your regional GAA club in the USA – with over 130 adult and youth GAA clubs in the USA, find one near you at: www.usgaa.org
• UNITED KINGDOM
  • Irish in Britain (previously known as the Federation of Irish Societies) is a national umbrella organisation which draws together Irish clubs and societies in Britain. They also set up the Cuimhne Irish Memory Loss Alliance to address the needs of all Irish living in Britain who experience all forms of memory loss.
  • The London Irish Centre supports the needs of thousands of newly-arrived Irish emigrants in London, the London Irish Centre (LIC) has developed into the largest Irish welfare and community organisation in Britain. It also hosts regular events and initiatives like the London Irish Language Playgroup, and community events.
  • Birmingham Irish Association provides advice and support to Irish people living in or who have recently moved to Birmingham.
  • Brent Irish Advisory Service (BIAS) provides advice and support to Irish people living in Brent
  • Causeway Irish Housing Association provides short-term accommodation, primarily to young single homeless people in London. They also support tenants through the Life Skills Project which includes help with education, employment, benefits, resettlement, and community involvement.
  • icap (Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy) is a charity providing counselling and psychotherapy to Irish and non-Irish people in London.
  • Irish Community Care Merseyside provides information and advice on a range of services including welfare, homelessness, health, and cultural isolation to Irish people living in and around Liverpool.
  • Irish Community Care Manchester provides welfare related advice and information, lunchtime events, Irish Traveller support to Irish people in Manchester. They also have an allotment project, a passport service, and provide burials for Irish people with no next of kin.
  • Irish Community Services in Greenwich, Bexley & Lewisham provide a range of popular, welcoming and successful welfare and support services to the Irish Community across South London.
  • London Irish LGBT Network was formed in 2014 by a group of Irish LGBT people decided form an independent group in order to socialise, campaign and support artistic pursuits.
  • Luton Irish Forum provides a range of activities (elders group, baby and toddler groups) and supports (including welfare support) to Irish people living in Luton. They also run this really useful website all about living in Luton – thisisluton.com
  • Lewisham Irish Community Centre provides clubs, classes, advice and support in Lewisham and surrounding areas in London
  • Leeds Irish Health and Homes support the Irish community in Leeds with a focus on health and wellbeing, and independent living
  • Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange (LeedsGATE) work to address the issues which affect the homes, health, education, employment and circumstances of Gypsy & Traveller people including Irish Travellers
  • The Aisling Project (Returning to Ireland)– London based and provides assistance to long-term emigrants by providing supported holidays in Ireland, helping to reconnect with friends and family and resettle in Ireland.
• MIDDLE EAST
  • Abu Dhabi Na Fianna GAA Club was founded in 1995 they welcome anyone who wants to give Gaelic Games a go.
  • Dubai Celts GAA is the largest GAA club in the Middle East, and a home away from home for many new Irish emigrants.
  • Dubai Irish Society was founded in 1974 and provides community and social support for Irish people living in Dubai.
  • Middle East GAA clubs are a good way of making connections on arrival. Currently there are 4 GAA clubs in the UAE ( in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah), and another 10 spread across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
  • Oman Irish Society organise Irish cultural, educational and social events in Oman.
• ASIA
  • The Asia County Board of the GAA was established in 2006 and currently includes 22 clubs in 11 countries including China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  • Irish Network China aims to promote and encourage exchange and understanding of business, cultural and sporting ties between the Irish and Chinese communities in Beijing.
  • St. Patrick’s Society Singapore organise regular events and welcomes recent Irish arrivals to Singapore.
  • Saint Patrick’s Society Bangkok promotes the social and cultural interests of the Irish community in Thailand.
• AFRICA
  • The Kenya Irish Society is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
  • The Irish South African Association facilitates social contact between Irish people, people of Irish descent and anyone who has any interest whatsoever in the Irish & in Ireland.
  • The SA Gaels were established in South Africa in 2010 and now have clubs in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
  • The Irish Mashonaland Association is based in Zimbabwe and was founded in 1891.
• SOUTH AMERICA
  • The Hurling Club in Buenos Aires was established by descendants of Irish emigrants to Argentina.
  • Irish in Argentina provides information to Irish people living or travelling in Argentina.
  • LatinAmerica.ie provides information on all things Irish across Latin America including Irish clubs, societies, business networks and more.

If you provide are an Irish society, association, club, welfare group, social media group GAA club, business network or you provide information or support to Irish emigrants around the world and would like to be listed on this page, please email migrantproject@crosscare.ie or contact us here.