This year, from small beginnings, SA in Ireland is celebrating 20 years of Irish Conventions since its first convention in October 1996. This follows the sobriety of our longest serving member, Robert L. We now have three all-Ireland conventions per year, in spring (Esker), summer (Dublin) and in fall (Ballyvaloo).

A special thanks must go to Fergus who brought the SA message from USA to Ireland. The first meeting of SA in Ireland was held in late ‘95 or beginning of ‘96 in Waterford. Tom C. met another man through a priest, but he stopped attending. Other meetings started in Kerry, Cork, Kingscourt, Galway and Dublin in 1996. Intergroup Meetings were held in Athlone every month.

The first SA meeting in Galway was held on 18 November 1996 with two members present. Thanks also to Tom C., Robert L., Cathal M., Tom L. and also members from UK who all helped by their generosity and service to SA in Ireland.

The First All-Ireland Convention was held in October 1996 in “Grace Dieu Retreat Centre” in Waterford and 15 attended some from UK, USA and one from Australia. As Tom C. wrote in Essay magazine December 1997: “It is hoped that these conventions will be regular events throughout the year.” This hope proved prophetic. Conventions continued to be held at this venue until 2009 and then moved to Ballyvaloo, Waterford.

The spring convention was begun in May 1997 at Esker Retreat Centre, Galway. Twelve to fourteen attended including Nicholas, Raymond, and Walter from UK.

Conventions have taken place in Esker every year since then. Over 40 attended last year as they did again in 2016. This year our old-timer Robert L. set up an “Archive Stand,” bringing old folders, minutes and notes, letters from Roy K. and SAICO.

The Esker Convention is now usually held the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, 17th March. It used to be held in May but the region, EMER, now host their convention in May (Ireland is hosting the International EMER convention in 2018).

March is proving a good time for our convention as the summer and autumn calendar in Europe is quite busy with events. The close connection with the Irish and UK SA fellowship prompted Belgium (Flanders) to ask to be part of the Irish-UK Intergroup. This led to the forming of the region EMER in December 2011, which is now going from strength to strength.

The Convention in Esker is held on the beautiful, quiet grounds of an old Monastery of the Redemptorist Community in Esker, Athenry, County Galway. The grounds have beautiful wooded walks, and has proven the ideal venue for our SA conventions.

This year Galway Group look forward to celebrating our 20th anniversary on the 18th November. Next year in March 2017, we will celebrate 20 consecutive years of the Esker Convention. We invite you to join us for the anniversaries of our group and our growing convention in the west of Ireland. It would be marvelous to see you.

In Fellowship,