The Belfast SA group began after Chris B. went to the Waterford Conference in October 1996 on the advice of an American clergyman. Since then, SA meetings have been held every two weeks in a local parish center. For the most part there were only two people in attendance. Recently, however, two others heard about SA through other 12-Step fellowships and have been introduced to SA literature and meetings. The Belfast group also has made its existence known to a number of counselors and clergy. Sobriety in the group ranges from Chris B.’s two and a half years, to six months, three weeks and one week.

The first SA meeting in Galway took place November 18, 1996, with two members present. In March of this year, another member joined, and during the summer, another member began to attend. In September of this year, a second weekly meeting was started on Saturday afternoons. The numbers at meetings in Galway vary from as low as two, to five or six. The Monday night meeting is a Step meeting. The Saturday afternoon meeting has readings from the AA Big Book and the SA White Book.

The Kingscourt SA meeting has been going for a year and a half. Initially the meeting had two members, one of whom had to drive a considerable distance to attend. Occasionally members from other parts of the country attend. The local member has found that the meeting is helpful even when there is no one else in attendance. Putting the SA box number in church bulletins has yielded some inquiries, as has sharing at meetings of other 12-Step fellowships in the area. In an Essay article last March, a loner member talked about closing his eyes and imagining members he had met introducing themselves at the beginning of the meeting. Then he didn’t feel like a loner at all. This loner has been doing the same thing and it has made a big difference. When he pictures other loner members, he realizes he’s not a loner at all.

SA in Dublin — I first heard of SA through another S-fellowship in Dublin. I met Fergus C., an SA member from the US, and was impressed with what he had. But it was in 1996, when living away from Dublin, that I first started using the SA meeting format with another member. When I returned to Dublin I was determined to start a SA meeting. I was prepared to pay the rent on my own, but Dara M. traveled 50 miles every week since the meeting began on October 24, 1996, and shared expenses. The group has seen people passing through, including SA visitors from overseas, mainly the US. Numbers are still small, but sobriety is growing, thank God.

SA in Waterford started at the end of 1995 or the beginning of 1996 when I found another member through a priest. He stopped coming after a while. He has since died. I had another member who I contacted through NA. He stopped coming because he didn’t want to work the Steps. I have carried the SA message to AA members, doctors, police and counselors. I find it difficult to get new members and I have been on my own for a long time. I had a new member at last night’s meeting, but I was nervous of him because his “drug” was different than mine. Today I am sober three years, two months and 27 days. I make two phone calls each day. I am being brought through the Steps now for a second time. I am at Step 7.

Other SA groups have started in Cork and Kerry. Intergroup meetings are held on the third Saturday of every month in Athlone.

The first Irish SA Convention was held in Waterford in October 1996. The theme was “Working the Steps.” Fifteen members attended. Some came from England, America and one from Australia. At this year’s convention, seven members attended. The theme was “Quality Sobriety.” We read “The Invisible Monster” from Recovery Continues. The following day the theme was self-awareness and sexual dreams. Traditions One and Two were the focus for Sunday morning. Other readings and topics included “The Joy Response” from Recovery Continues and the reading on “acceptance” on page 449 of the AA Big Book. To put the emphasis on recovery and healing, the first to share were the members with the longest sobriety.

Another convention was held outside Galway in May of this year. This was attended by Irish and English members. It is hoped that these conventions will be regular events throughout the year.