The Irish Association will host their AGM in Clayton Hotel, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast on Saturday, 24 January, at 1.00 pm. The Clayton is not far from the new Belfast Central Train Station.

After we conduct the business of the AGM we will be fortunate to hear a talk by Dr John Hunter, C.B.. John was the first Northern Ireland Director General of the International Fund for Ireland. He is a former Permanent Secretary of the Department of Finance and Personnel and also the Department of Social Development, the Northern Ireland Civil Service. In his retirement he has chaired the Council of the Corrymeela Community and also the Council of Ulster University.

John will speak about the Corrymeela Community. On 30 October 2025 Corrymeela celebrated sixty years since the dedication of its Ballycastle centre. Professor Brian M. Walker, President, The Irish Association will give a talk on the foundation of the club in 1885. At present the club has been celebrating its 140th anniversary. Plans for the club commenced in 1880, its doors opened on the first day of 1885 and the formal opening of the club by the Marquis of Hartington occurred on 5 November 1885. This very impressive building stood at the top of the newly constructed Royal Avenue.

RSVP: Please book your place as soon as possible by emailing Eimear at admin@theirishassociation.org indicating if you have any special dietary or access requirements. 

Cost: £10 per person includes lunch refreshments. Please make payment by SumUp using the following links:

One person - https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/Q9ATLSEJ
Two people - https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QBA3UXNX