A warm welcome to the St Patrick’s Society!

Originally from Ireland, TRACY MULLINS moved to Singapore in 2023 with her husband and daughter, joined the St Patrick’s Society committee in September 2024, and was voted in as president last September. She shares how the society, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025, keeps Irish culture and heritage alive. With the St Patrick’s Day Ball on 21 March this year, it’s a busy time!

What brought you to Singapore and what do you miss about home?

After living 20 years in the UK, Gary took a role with Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore), so we came on an adventure.

The main thing I miss is family and friends in the UK and Ireland. Also, the open spaces and big skies – I miss seeing how fast the skies change from cloudy and grey one minute to bright blue the next.

Tell us about the St Patrick’s Society.

St Patrick’s Society Singapore was established in 1925 with the intention of celebrating Irish culture and heritage. Our aim is to provide a home away from home for the Irish community, a space to support the community and to promote Irish culture.

Tell us a bit about your work at the society.

We’re a volunteer-run society. We organise multiple activities to match the diversity of people’s careers, lives and families.

I enjoy talking to the community and encouraging people to get involved in celebrating their heritage.

Who are your members?

We are open to all – our members are primarily Irish, but we have a diverse mix of nationalities including British, American, Singaporean, Russian and Indian.

Some have strong ties to Ireland having lived or worked there. Others have family ties via ancestry or marriage, and others just have a strong affiliation with Ireland and Irish culture and music.

What activities and events are there for members?

There’s an event every week such as our coffee morning hosted in a different café each week. There’s also a weekly run club in the Botanic Gardens, and we occasionally compete in different races across Singapore. Our monthly social is held in different places with different activities.

We also have core and flagship events such as our annual children’s Christmas party with a special guest in red, and a shopping fair.

Our most important event of the year is the St Patrick’s Society Ball hosted on the closest weekend to St Patrick’s Day on 17 March. (This year, it’s 21 March.) The community – approximately 500 guests – comes together in style for a huge party, Irish food and drinks, Irish dancers and musicians, and to raise money for Singapore charities.

What has been your favourite moment from a recent event?

I have three! Firstly, watching 50 Irish dancers recreate a version of the famous Riverdance at the 100-year anniversary ball. The music and sound of the shoes brought back so many memories. Secondly, running in Angkor Wat with some of the run club members and members of the community. Lastly, welcoming three new Singapore-born Irish citizens to coffee mornings. I’m sure those babies are the reasons for such high attendance in recent months!

How long is a membership period and what can a member expect during this time?

Our membership lasts a year. We offer individual, couples and family memberships! You can expect a warm welcome to a fantastic community, access to exclusive member benefits and events, and of course early access to the St Patrick’s Society Ball.

For more information, visit stpatssingapore@outlook.com. Memberships start from $53, $79 and $104 for individuals, couples and families respectively – see stpatssingapore.org/membership.
stpatssingapore.org | IG @st.patrickssocietysg

This article first appeared in the February 2026 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription, or read the digital version for free now.

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