There is a strong Irish community in the Gulf countries with Irish societies and GAA clubs active in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Bahrain
The Bahrain Irish Society was founded in 1975 and is celebrating its 35th Anniversary this year. Over the last 35 years the Society has taken an active approach in contributing to local Bahraini charities, organising events promoting our culture & working in partnership with the community of Bahrain. The Society works very closely with the Arabian Celts Gaelic Football Club promoting our national games and also with the Bahrain Irish Business Network promoting Irish Business & partnerships here on the island.
Website: www.bahrainirishsociety.com
Kuwait
The Kuwait Irish Society is now entering its 20th year of being established in Kuwait. The Society is a not-for-profit organisation that is open to everybody with a connection or interest in Ireland. The Society holds a number of events throughout the year including the St Patrick’s Day ball and they also host a number of events specifically for children.
Email: irish_society_kwt@yahoo.co.uk
Oman
The Irish Society in Oman holds social events throughout the year including the annual St Patrick’s Day Ball.
Email: irishinoman@hotmail.com
The Muscat Magpies GAA and Australian Football Club has its origins in the Clann na hOman Gaelic Football team which was founded in March 2003. Training takes place at Muscat Rugby Club every Sunday & Tuesday. Muscat began entering a team in the Aussie Rules 9’s tournament in Dubai in 2007, and from 2008 the Australian game began to grow in popularity and evolved into a new playing arm of the club - The Muscat Magpies. One team, two games!
Website: www.muscatmagpies.com
Email: mgaafc@gmail.com
The Irish Business Network in Oman provides a platform for members to network with each other. It allows for the regular exchange of trends and ideas from different industry categories, for making business connections and often times finding employment opportunities. The Group consists of a broad spectrum of people such as: Irish people working in Oman; Employees of Irish companies based in the Oman; and Individuals who are interested in developing business links with Ireland. Networking events are held every few months at various locations.
Email: oman_ibn@yahoo.co.uk
Qatar
Email: qataririshsociety@yahoo.com
Saudi Arabia
The Riyadh Irish Society was formed towards the end of 2006. Our goal is to help promote Ireland and its culture, while also providing some entertainment for the Irish community living in Riyadh. We support a number of charities based here in Riyadh and at home in Ireland. RIS currently has a membership of close to 300 made up of families and singles - and demand is growing as more people come back to KSA.
Email: riyadhirishsociety@yahoo.co.uk.
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Irish Society was founded in 1975. It has expanded since then and now has over 300 members. Its main aim is the promotion of Irish social and sporting activities and the fostering of good relations with other communities in Abu Dhabi. The society is proud that the membership includes not only Irish, but also people of different nationalities and this has greatly contributed to the success of the society down the years. The society organises a number of events throughout the year including the St Patrick’s Day Ball, Golf Outings, Kids events, family events and much more.
Website: www.irishsocietyabudhabi.com
Email: adirishsociety@gmail.com
Abu Dhabi Na Fianna is one of the biggest and longest established sports clubs in the Gulf region and has been in existence since 1994. The historic first ever match played by Na Fianna was a hurling game against a combined Al Ain\Northern Emirates team in Al Ain in April 1995. The club expanded and Na Fianna played their first ever competitive matches in both hurling and football when the UAE championship started in Dubai in 1996. Since then the club has expanded every year: a ladies team was established in 1999 and a junior team followed in 2004.
Website: http://abudhabinafianna.com
Al Ain
The Al Ain Irish Society and GAA club operate as one organization and have grown from strength to strength since first established in November 2009. The Society and Club strive to provide a focus for social contact for people with an Irish background or an interest in Irish culture. The Society and Club organize events in Al Ain throughout the year.
Website:www.facebook.com/alainirishsociety or www.facebook.com/alainingaa
Email: alainirishsociety@gmail.com (for Society) and alaingaa@gmail.com (for club)
Dubai
The Dubai Irish Society has been active since 1974 and continues to actively serve the Irish community in Dubai. The aim of the DIS is to provide a social platform for the Irish living and working in Dubai. An array of events is organised throughout the year which offers its members the opportunity to celebrate their culture, heritage, traditions, and above all have fun while keeping that bond to home. The St. Patrick's Day Ball and The Rose Ball are certainly recognised as social calendar events of the year in addition to a range of smaller socials such as quiz nights, Ceili's and the children's unique 'Santa in the Desert' experience.
Website: www.irishsocietydubai.com
Email: mail@irishsocietydubai.com
The Dubai Celts first took to the field at the Bahrain Tournament in the 1995/96 Season. The Celts have grown significantly since and now have teams at all ages. Over one quarter of all members originate from beyond the shores of Ireland.
Website: www.dubaicelts.com
The Irish Business Network (IBN) in Dubai first convened on 10 February 2010. Since then the IBN has gone from strength to strength and has a regular schedule of events, both networking and sector specific. The Irish Business Network (IBN) is recognised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce as an official Business Council.
