Geneva Irish Association annual picnic
In 1975, Séamus (Jimmy) Magee and his Swiss wife, Evelyne and young daughter Deborah, moved from London to Geneva to work at the European Broadcasting Union. The Geneva from 1975 was not that of today. There was, at the time, relatively little in the way of hobbies and cultural activities… Jimmy amongst his family spoke often of Ireland and the idea to found L’Association Irlandaise de Genève (Geneva Irish Association: GIA) came to him.
He made contact with the Irish Mission in Geneva who gave him the names and addresses of Irish residents in Geneva and its surrounds - luckily there were no GDPR concerns at the time! Jimmy wrote to them, proposing that they join the new association. Several were happy to join and become Committee Members. Thus, the GIA was born on the 27th of September 1975.
Jimmy put a lot of effort into maintaining links with Ireland and Irish culture. At the centre of the GIA, members had access to Irish films (ordered from Bern by Brian Scanlon), could take Irish language courses as well as dance lessons (given by Mary Kehrli-Smyth and Angela Jeangros) and could participate in play reading sessions organised by Sarah and Mick Browne. In addition, there was organised annually a rally and a picnic (which involved booking the chosen mountain refuge months in advance) and a Christmas celebration for the children. The most important day of the year is Saint Patrick’s Day of course. This occasion saw musicians come over from Ireland and board with the families of GIA members.
Fast forward to today as we celebrate our 50th anniversary in September 2025, making us the oldest Irish Association in Switzerland and one of the oldest in Europe!
Geneva Irish Association annual Halloween event for the whole family
Our goals remain the same, to provide a focal point in Geneva for all who are Irish or Friends of Ireland and promote Irish social and cultural activities.
We do this by organising a wide range of regular social activities and provide those with a connection to, or love of, Ireland an opportunity to meet with the large Irish community and other nationalities living and working in Geneva and throughout Switzerland as well as promoting other events of an Irish interest to our members.
Our membership is open to those who are Irish and those who are friends of Ireland, and our annually elected volunteer committee of 7 represent and execute the Association's objectives.
Pat Murphy writes, "I am honoured to be the President for this anniversary year having lived on and off in Geneva for over 30 years as well as being a long term member who was drawn to the GIA as a place to meet and share my Irish heritage and culture."
Geneva Irish Association Committee members, Pat Murphy is second from the right
Other members have the same sentiment:
Mick and Sarah Brown, early members of the Geneva Irish Association told us, "We were some of the first members of the GIA and sure needed the support!
"We made great friends that we knew we could depend on and we held on to each other in this strange new world. In time, the Irish married French, Swiss German and Italian and the association began to spread its wings. As time went on the Association created a football team (dangerously wild), a golf competition, Halloween parties, summer picnics and other activities.
"We needed a central Place to meet and that meant a pub. Not having an Irish pub we went to Pickwicks until Flanagans opened in the old town, followed swiftly by Charly O’Neils, Mulligans, and others, certainly not forgetting Paddy’s across the border that pulled many expats together. At one moment there was a weakening of the association as those who had left Ireland settled in and felt the need less than before and expensive flights home were a thing of the past.
"Families flourished and the young felt less of a draw to all things Irish and “home” and interest waned. After an emergency meeting of members, enough people wanted to carry on, we got a new young and able committee and haven’t looked back since!”
Oliver Donagher, Former President of the Geneva Irish Association went on to say, “In the same year the GIA was founded—1975— I was born in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. So it’s a big year for us both! Fast forward to 2012, I arrived on the shores of Lake Geneva and quickly joined the GIA as a paid-up annual member. Over the years, the association has helped me immerse myself in all things Swiss. I’ve met a great number of fellow members and became actively involved to help ensure its survival. To me, the GIA is more than just an Irish association. Its ability to engage and embrace those not of Irish birth reflects a spirit of tolerance and inclusivity that’s just as relevant today as it was 50 years ago.”
Karl Richardson, Treasurer of the Geneva Irish Association, reported, “In terms of GIA knowledge and participation, I knew of the organisation since I arrived in 2015 at age 25. I went to a few events and liked to meet the established community and mixing with people who were once like me - new to Geneva and trying to integrate into the local customs. 10 years later I'm still learning French, have a great group of Swiss, Irish and International friends, Treasurer of the GIA and delighted to help build on what's been created over 50 years by the members and committees before us. For me the GIA core is to stay true to its mission of integrating ex-pats into the Swiss society and traditions.”
It hasn’t always been easy, and on more than one occasion the GIA floundered, most recently during COVID, luckily, we banded together and we successfully relaunched the association with the help of the members and the committee's efforts.
Our future is bright as we complete our 50th year this September with a Gala Lunch to celebrate. We plan to continue our core events focusing around Halloween, a Christmas lunch, Fondue Nite, summer BBQ, and of course, St Patrick’s Day celebration!
Check out their website for specific dates or to contact someone about joining.
GENEVA IRISH ASSOCIATION
