Echoes of the Harp: Irish Settlement in Southern NSW
Location
About
Discover the rich and often surprising story of Irish settlement in Yass and Southern NSW at this comprehensive full-day seminar, bringing together seven knowledgeable speakers to explore the people, places, experiences and cultural influences that shaped our region.
Guest speakers include:
Guest speakers include:
Morning session
Dr Richard Reid OAM - Echoes of the Harp: Some Thoughts on Yass’ Irish Story
Dr Damian John Gleeson - New Perspectives on the Irish in Early New South Wales
Dr Richard Reid OAM - Echoes of the Harp: Some Thoughts on Yass’ Irish Story
Dr Damian John Gleeson - New Perspectives on the Irish in Early New South Wales
Cheryl Mongan - Journey of a Lifetime: Irish Famine Orphans in the New World 1848-1850
Afternoon session
Cheryl Bollard and Sue Pillans - Echoes from the Maher Collection: People, Place and Family in Yass
William Delaney - Beyond the Headstone: Reconstructing the Irish Catholic Community of Yass through the Yass Valley History Centre
Cheryl Bollard and Sue Pillans - Echoes from the Maher Collection: People, Place and Family in Yass
William Delaney - Beyond the Headstone: Reconstructing the Irish Catholic Community of Yass through the Yass Valley History Centre
Dr Jeff Brownrigg - Henry Lawson’s Irish Poems: ‘Irishness’ to Australia in the verse of Lawson, Yass’s John O’Brien and other poets
With live musical performances by Daniel Kelly, morning tea and lunch included (drinks at own expense), this is a day for anyone with an interest in Irish history, local history, family and social history and historical research.
9:15am - 5pm Sunday, 1 November 2026 (registration from 8:45am)
Full Day (FULLY BOOKED)
YDHS Member $95 / Non-member $115
With live musical performances by Daniel Kelly, morning tea and lunch included (drinks at own expense), this is a day for anyone with an interest in Irish history, local history, family and social history and historical research.
9:15am - 5pm Sunday, 1 November 2026 (registration from 8:45am)
Full Day (FULLY BOOKED)
YDHS Member $95 / Non-member $115
Our Full Day tickets, including morning tea and lunch, are now fully booked.
We’ve added the option to attend either the morning or afternoon session separately, so there are still opportunities to join us for Echoes of the Harp: exploring Irish Settlement in Southern NSW.
Morning Session | 9:15am–1pm
Includes the seminar and morning tea.
Registration from 8:45am.
YDHS Member $50 / Non-member $60
Afternoon Session | 2pm–5pm
Seminar only.
Registration from 1:45pm.
YDHS Member $35 / Non-member $45
Bookings close Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 4pm.
For further information on the presentations, visit our website www.yasshistory.org.au/activities
✨Part of Digging Up the Past — Yass Valley’s weekend of history, talks, tours, food and unique experiences happening Friday 30 October through to Sunday 1 November 2026
